From 20th November to 20th December 2025, we mark UK Disability History Month – a time to celebrate the achievements of disabled people, raise awareness of the barriers they face, and promote equality in the workplace and beyond.
What is UK Disability History Month?
UK Disability History Month highlights the struggles and successes of disabled people throughout history and today. It reminds us that disability rights are human rights and that workplaces must be inclusive and fair for everyone.
Legal Basis for Disability Rights
Under the Equality Act 2010, employers have a legal duty to make reasonable adjustments for disabled employees and to prevent discrimination. NHS Employers guidance reinforces this by encouraging Trusts to adopt policies that support disabled staff, including flexible working and disability-related leave.
What is our Branch Doing?
We are proud to announce that UNISON has entered formal negotiations with Croydon Health Services NHS Trust to introduce a Disability Policy that includes paid Disability Leave. This leave should not count towards formal sickness stages, pay reductions, or negatively impact your pension.
Currently, Trust policies can be open to interpretation and are often applied inconsistently. Disabled employees frequently have to advocate for themselves, even when their absence is clearly linked to a disability. We believe this must change.
Negotiations are at a very early stage, but we are optimistic that these improvements will make a real difference to the working lives of our disabled members.
How You Can Help
Share Your Experience: If you are a disabled member, tell us about your experiences with workplace policies. Your voice matters and will help shape the negotiations.
Join the Croydon Health Disability Forum: Be part of the change you want to see.
Encourage Colleagues to Join UNISON: If you work alongside colleagues with disabilities, invite them to join UNISON – this is their time to have a voice.
Next Disability Forum Meeting, open to all branch members no matter where you work, is on 12th December @ 2pm.
(Please note: the meeting will not be recorded to ensure confidentiality.)
Contact nathaliewells@nhs.net for an invitation/meeting link
Together, we can make our workplace fairer and more inclusive.
