Recommendation 27

The Department intends that the scheme provides support for individual needs within the workplace over and above an employer’s legal duty to make reasonable adjustments. Under the Equality Act 2010, employers are required to make reasonable adjustments to ensure that workers 41 Q 26 42 Qq 2 and 26-27; C&AG’s Report, para 1.4 43 Q 26 44 Q 27; C&AG’s Report, para 1.4 and Figure 2 45 Qq 26-27 46 Q 25 47 C&AG’s Report, para 1.21 48 Q 29 49 Q 36 15 with disabilities, or physical or mental health conditions, are not substantially disadvantaged when doing their jobs.50 The Department told us that the scheme should cover those adjustments that are necessary but that it is not reasonable for the employer to make. It also noted that what is reasonable varies according to the nature of the employer – some of the adjustments that a big company could easily afford are not affordable for very small businesses.51