Disability in the workplace: The Walters Report 2021

For the second year in a row, The Robert Walters Report has highlighted imbalances and complex matters to do with gender, sexuality and disability in the workplace. 

The key findings of this report have been investigated by The Kaleidoscope Group, who provide a platform for empowering disabled employees and entrepreneurs.

From the report's findings, The Kaleidoscope Group conclude that the disabled community as employees are disproportionately affected by imbalances in the workplace. 

Disability representation in the workplace 

In the UK, one in five people have a disability. However, the latest government figures show that out of the 7.7 million disabled people of working age, only 4.1 million (53.6%) are currently in work. This compares to 81.7% of those who are not disabled.

The report discusses why this figure is so slow, including issues around business inclusion, barriers to progression and workplace experience.

Disabled employees and progression

The report found that nearly half (47%) of disabled professionals do not think their pay is an accurate reflection of their work. This compares to 35% of non-disabled employees. 

Additionally, 22% more disabled professionals said that the lack of diversity in their industry has made it more difficult for them to progress compared to non-disabled professionals; while 36% of disabled professionals said there is a lack of training or development on offer to help them progress.

Unachievable performance targets also seem to contribute towards an inability to progress, with 40% more disabled professionals saying their biggest progression barrier is that their targets are set too high, compared to non-disabled professionals. 

There is also a substantial disability pay gap, as the report highlights only a third (35%) of disabled professionals are earning above the average national UK salary (£30,000), in comparison to over half (52%) of professionals without a disability. 

Government data supports these findings, reporting that this persistent disability pay gap means disabled workers are more likely to be negatively affected by financial stress than non-disabled workers.

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