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    • Workplace Accommodations Toolkit – learn more about workplace adaptations and support for staff and managers: Broadcast: News: University of Sussex
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    Workplace Accommodations Toolkit – learn more about workplace adaptations and support for staff and managers: Broadcast: News: University of Sussex

    Pabio Posted on

    Photo of campus buildings, trees, grass and trails

    Effective workplace adjustments remove barriers and enable staff to realize their potential, and the University’s updated workplace adaptation toolkit provides guidance on workplace adjustments (or reasonable adjustments) for staff and managers.

    The toolkit includes information on the manager’s responsibilities for how to organize, implement, modify and review adjustments. It also provides sources of information and guidance for all staff.

    What are workplace accommodations?

    Workplace adjustments remove or reduce obstacles a staff member may face, allowing them to do their job. Managers should work proactively and collaboratively with staff to implement workplace adjustments where necessary, taking into account what is reasonable.

    Each workplace adjustment will be specific to the individual’s needs, their role and where they work, and may be short or long term. Individuals may live in similar conditions, but may face different obstacles in the workplace and require different adjustments in the workplace. You can find out more about workplace accommodations on our web pages. The toolkit includes examples of types of workplace adjustments and relevant policies and processes to support implementation.

    The University has a duty under the Equality Act 2010 to make reasonable adjustments where a disabled member of staff (or applicant for employment) is at a significant disadvantage compared to others, by application of a “provision, criterion or practice”.

    Advice for managers

    Managers are responsible for having conversations with new and existing staff to discuss and agree on workplace adjustments that remove or reduce the barriers an employee faces, enabling them to do their job. Managers and staff must work together to implement and regularly review workplace adjustments to ensure they remain effective.

    Managers should consider that a member of staff experiencing difficulty at work may be disabled and need adjustments, whether they have told you about their disability or not. You can read additional tips for managers on our web pages.

    Advice, support and information

    The advice and support webpage includes information on which teams can support managers, as well as external support and resources.

    There are also e-learning courses available on LearnUpon which all staff are encouraged to take, including Disability Essentials and Introduction to neurodiversity.

    The University is a member of the Business Disability Forum (BDF) which offers a range of resources, including workplace adaptation and condition and disability specific information. All staff have access to their Knowledge Hub in register with their Sussex email address. Managers and HR colleagues can contact their confidential contacts Advisory service.

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