A new report aimed at improving the unemployment rate of people with disabilities, says workers with long-term health conditions should have the same right as new mothers to return to their employer within one year.

The Resolution Foundation completed a study and is calling for a 12-month ‘right to return’ period from the beginning of absence, to help slow the unemployment rate for disabled employees.  The report showed that just over two percent of disabled people who were out of work for more than a year went back into employment every quarter.  The report is calling on the government to pursue a “damage prevention” approach that will have a primary focus on keeping people in jobs.

The report explains that communication between an employer and an employee in this kind of situation could work very similar to maternity leave.  Ultimately, dismissals on sickness ground would not be allowed within the year, unless there are certain circumstances.  The Resolution Foundation also proposes that firms could be offered a rebate on statutory sick pay costs when a staff member comes back to work after long-term sick leave.

Currently, employers have a duty to avoid any kind of direct or indirect discrimination against disabled people, as well as other minorities.  Businesses have a duty to also make ‘reasonable adjustments’ for disabled employees.

Resolution Foundation reported that almost half of disabled people were currently in jobs, compared to 80% of non-disabled people.  Closing this gap even just half way would mean a 1.5 million increase in the number of disabled people in the workforce.