Analysis by the union found that the difference between what non-disabled and disabled workers earn is 15 per cent or almost £3,000 a year, and higher for disabled women.
The government published a voluntary code in November 2018 to encourage employers to disclose how many disabled people they employ, their career progression and pay. However, the TUC believes that, without a legally binding requirement to publish pay gaps and outline the action being taken to address differences, progress will be slow.
TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady said: “Too many disabled people face poorer job prospects and lower pay. They’ve waited long enough for fair and equal treatment – and a light-touch, voluntary approach just isn’t good enough. The evidence shows that it just doesn’t work.”
Referring to gender pay gap reporting, the TUC highlighted that just five businesses published their pay data when a voluntary scheme of reporting was introduced. This changed when legislation made the publication of this data mandatory.
“It’s time that bosses were legally required to publish their disability employment and pay gaps in the same way that large companies have to report their gender pay gaps. Disabled people deserve the same level of transparency,” said O’Grady.
The TUC is calling on the government to introduce a statutory requirement for employers to report their disability pay gaps and employment rates, and to publish action plans setting out how they will address them.
