Challenges and Opportunities for Autistic and Disability Employment Rights in the UK
- Joanne Baldwin
- May 20
- 3 min read
Employment discrimination against individuals with autism and disability employment rights in the UK is a significant issue, despite legal protections and increasing awareness. Only twenty per cent of Autistic people get work compared to fifty per cent of disabled people as a whole. Many individuals with autism still encounter various forms of discrimination in the workplace, and that's if they get there.
My Experience with Discrimination in the Autistic World
The label of Autism in the education system enables your child to get support. Academies are cutting back on general classroom support, so even a neurotypical child may not get the help from an extra adult in the classroom. Support in the classroom will be available to those with an EHCP (Educational Health Care Plan), and you will need to fight for it.
In an interview, a person may disclose a diagnosis before an employer has seen their abilities, and judgments may be made. A person may prefer not to say they are autistic for fear of being judged. The result could be higher anxiety during the interview and an inability to judge social interactions, which prevents the person from proving their worth.
The Law of Employment
Equality Act 2010: This legislation protects individuals from workplace discrimination on the grounds of disability, including autism. It requires employers to make reasonable adjustments to ensure that employees with disabilities are not at a disadvantage.
Reasonable Adjustments: Employers are legally obligated to provide accommodations that could help autistic employees perform their jobs effectively. This might include flexible working hours, changes to the work environment, or specific support systems.
Autism Act 2009
Focus on Adults: The Autism Act 2009, a groundbreaking legislation, is the first disability-specific law in England, marking a significant step towards improving services for adults with autism.
Strategic Influence: The Act set the stage for the 'Fulfilling and Rewarding Lives' strategy, a beacon of hope later enhanced by the 'Think Autism' strategy. With their comprehensive guidance, these strategies play a pivotal role in enhancing health, social care, and support services for adults with autism.
Statutory Guidance: The Act underscores the government's commitment to produce statutory guidance for local authorities and NHS bodies on implementing the autism strategy, thereby ensuring that the needs of autistic adults are met.
Real World for Employment
Reasonable adjustment means that the employer supports an employee to enable them to work and prevent discrimination. Many people with learning difficulties have only been classed as having difficulties because they have been through an education system that does not understand them. Out in the real world, they have skills and unique abilities that are overlooked.
Autism Act 2009 - 10 years on, it's on hold'
Over the last 10 years the National Autism Society believe not enough has been done. 2 out 3 autistic people are not getting the basic living support they need. The Autism strategy was updated in 2019, but was delayed until 2012, and this action lasted only one year. As it stands, the Government is prioritising the updated version of the 'Autism Strategy', so the Autism Act is on hold.
Employment Stats
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) published data called 'Outcomes for Disabled People in 2020'. This covered topics such as education, employment, housing and loneliness.
22% of Autistic people reported having paid work
75% of adult Autistics still live at home compared to 16% of disabled adults
Well-being - rates of anxiety in Autism are higher than in other disabilities and the general public as a whole.
A recent review aimed to boost the employment prospects of autistic people. The Minister for Disabled People, Health and Work, Tom Pursglove MP, said:
We know autistic people can face barriers moving into employment and staying there. This is often down to the employers themselves not having the tools to support autistic people, or truly understanding the value of a neurodiverse workforce.
People with autism have particularly low employment rates – with fewer than three in 10 in work – but the Buckland Review of Autism Employment, supported by charity Autistica and the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), is aiming to change that.
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