Becoming a disability confident employerĪny employer can become disability confident, even before hiring a disabled employee. It really depends on the disability, which is why it’s so important to involve the employee when making adjustments. Simple adjustments for employees may involve a revised seating plan, or diversifying communication methods. We have seen one example of how HSBC utilises time and space for quiet to help their customers. There is a general fear that this will be expensive, however that is not always the case. When you find out that an employee has a disability, you have a legal obligation to make reasonable adjustments.
So it’s important that employees know who they can speak to, in confidence, if they are struggling at work because of their disability.
Such discussions can be sensitive, revealing sometimes embarrassing symptoms. Without the background, these sorts of situations might trigger performance management, which doesn’t always result in the employee getting the right kind of support.Īn employee with a hidden disability is more likely to open up if they feel that they are in a safe and non-judgemental environment. For example, an employee suffering from Crohn’s disease taking longer bathroom breaks an autistic employee missing social cues and seeming rude or a dyslexic person needing extra time for a written task. It can also cause problems if managers are left making assumptions about certain behaviours. Understandably, employers will more often than not struggle with knowing how best to support an employee with a disability if it has not been disclosed. As such, you may not realise you already have disabled employees working for you. Many people will not immediately disclose that they have a disability through fear of being labelled. Raising awareness of this is vital so that disabled people not only receive better access and support with day-to-day activities such as banking, but in other areas of life too, like employment. It is estimated that 80% of disabled people in the UK have a hidden disability. The following list includes just some examples of invisible disabilities:Īutism, brain injury, Crohn’s disease, cystic fibrosis, depression, diabetes, dyslexia, epilepsy, lupus, audio or visual impairment. It can be physical, mental, or neurological. What is a hidden disability?Ī hidden disability is one that is not immediately apparent. It’s a positive move by the bank to improve disability inclusion and awareness, noting that a busy bank may be an intimidating and over-stimulating environment to someone with a hidden disability, such as autism.
This involves quiet spaces and specific training on hidden disabilities for HSBC staff.
Our event and organisation staff, and our city ambassadors will also wear the symbol to show that they have completed dedicated training and are able to provide assistance to people with hidden disabilities.If you bank with HSBC, you may have noticed the roll-out of “Quiet Hour” in branches at the end of last year.įor those who bank elsewhere or haven’t seen the posters, Quiet Hour is a dedicated time for customers with invisible or hidden disabilities to receive additional support in a calm, distraction-free environment. People with a hidden disability will be able to pick up wearable products such as lanyards, pins, stickers and wrist bands embellished with a sunflower from locations across the city. Travellers Aid to launch the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Symbol initiative across the city – an effective and discreet way for people with hidden disabilities to signal that they may require assistance at events, businesses and on public transport. To make our city more inclusive for everyone, we're partnering with They can also include respiratory and chronic conditions such as asthma, diabetes, chronic pain and sleep disorders that significantly impact day to day life experiences. Hidden disabilities may include conditions such as mobility, mental health, learning difficulties, speech, visual impairments or hearing loss. Some disabilities are hidden, but they can significantly impact how people experience the world. Not every disability shows visual signs.
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