Disabled Employees - Statistics

The Department for Work and Pensions has published a report on employment retention following the onset of sickness or disability.

The report reveals:

• every quarter, 2.6% of the workforce become disabled within the definition of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (608,000 individuals). Surprisingly, only 0.3% of the workforce becomes disabled for the purpose of social security benefits (73,000 individuals) - indicating the government applies much more stringent standards before it to treat someone as entitled to disability protection, than the standards it places on employers;

• 5% of those who become disabled within the meaning of the DDA 1995 leave work immediately. After 9-12 months have elapsed, 13% have left employment.