No discrimination please, we're European
By Allan Tyrer

New regulations required by European rules will amend the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (DDA) in Great Britain, and bring around 7 million additional jobs within the legislation. Key changes from October 2004 include:

abolition of the small employer exemption - employers with less than 15 employees will come within the DDA;

extension of the DDA to fire-fighters, police, prison officers, some international workers and others, but not the armed forces

the rules on when an employer can justify treating a disabled person less favourably are being tightened. The courts will need to determine the effects of the change but, for example, it might add strength to a case where a medical report made over-general assumptions about people who stammer.

The changes are required by the European Framework Employment Directive. Separate regulations will be needed for the directive in Northern Ireland. A promised Disability Bill may bring further changes.

From the Autumn 2003 edition of Speaking Out

See also:
Reviewing the DDA - overview of the position from October 2004
Employment tribunal win
Employment - index page