Changes to policies and the way an organisation usually does things
The first requirement involves changing the way things are done (equality law talks about where the disabled job worker is put at a substantial disadvantage by a provision, criterion or practice of their employer).
This means the employer must look at whether they need to change some written or unwritten policies, and/or some of the ways they usually do things, to remove or reduce barriers that would place you at a substantial disadvantage, for example, by stopping you working for that employer or applying for a job with that employer or stopping you being fully involved at work.
This includes your employer's processes for deciding who is offered a job, criteria for promotion or training, benefits, working conditions and contractual arrangements.
For example:
Supervisors in an organisation are usually employed on a full-time basis. The employer agrees to a disabled person whose impairment causes severe fatigue working on a part-time or job share basis. By doing this, the employer is making a reasonable adjustment.
The design of a particular workplace makes it difficult for a disabled person with a hearing impairment to hear, because the main office is open plan and has hard flooring, so there is a lot of background noise. Their employer agrees that staff meetings should be held in a quieter place that allows that person to fully participate in the meeting. By doing this, the employer is making a reasonable adjustment.
More information
Protected characteristic's definitions
Your responsibilities for staff behaviour
Last Updated: 02 Dec 2015