We Need To Talk About The Disability Pay Gap

an empty chair at a desk with a laptop slightly open on the table, representing the disability pay gap

The TUC’s recently published analysis shows that non-disabled workers now earn a sixth (17.2%) more than disabled workers. The pay gap between disabled and non-disabled workers now stands at £2.05 an hour – or a difference of £3,731 per year for someone working a 35-hour week. This effectively means that disabled workers work for free for […]

Rising Numbers Of People Are Falling Out Of Employment Due To Long-Term Illness

illustration of a woman sat at a desk in front of her laptop, with her head in her hands. she has a lamp and a cup of tea on each side of her.

The UK economy is losing talented workers to Long Covid, other chronic health conditions and mental ill health.  Concerning figures from the ONS this month show a steep rise in the number of people falling out of employment due to long-term illness. Astriid believes some of this loss of talent could be prevented if businesses adopted a disability-inclusive framework to the challenge of long-term sickness.  169,000 more people have fallen […]

Why the Future of Work is Brighter for Disabled and Neurodivergent Workers

woman sat at a desk looking at her laptop, symbolising future of work

Guest blog post by Jiselle Simmons Closing the employment gap in the UK can be achieved by welcoming disabled and neurodivergent individuals into the workforce. In a previous article on ‘Enabling Change Through an Inclusive Workplace’, we discussed how organisations can better foster equity and inclusion through bold leadership, comprehensive policies, and an empowering work environment. […]

Enabling Change Through An Inclusive Workplace

enabling change illustration, showing hands curved around each other to form a circle

Written by Astriid Volunteer Sabeeha Kassam In 2020, Accenture published their Enabling Change; Getting To Equal Report. Here’s what you need to know about their findings and how their conclusions can impact inclusivity in the workplace. Researchers interviewed 6,000 respondents with a disability across a variety of sectors. They also surveyed 1,748 executives (of which […]

Accessible User Experience Design For People With Chronic Illness

user experience design planner at work, using an apple pencil to draw diagrams on an electronic tablet

This interview about User Experience Design was conducted by Astriid volunteer Ellie Mason User Experience Design (UX Design) is where a team designs a technological product with the human user specifically in mind. The aim is to understand the user, to make the product accessible and desirable, and to promote brand perception and overall performance. […]

Mandatory Disability Reporting For Large Employers Is Introduced

mandatory disability reporting, hands typing on a laptop

Written by Astriid Volunteer Sabeeha Kassam The government’s National Disability Strategy has been collated from feedback from disabled people and offers over 100 opportunities and actions to improve the issues that most affect them in their day-to-day lives. The strategy lays out ways that transport can be more accessible, how opportunities for education can be […]

Health Adjustment Passport For Working Disabled People

a person typing on a laptop, completing their health adjustment passport

The government has recently introduced the Health Adjustment Passport, a document that can be used to identify and record the things that will help you move into work or stay in a job. The Health Adjustment Passport is for anybody who has a disability or health condition that makes it harder for them to move […]

How To Increase Diversity And Inclusion In Your Business

outline of a person with the word 'diversity' written all over them in colours, representing diversity and inclusion

Written by Astriid volunteer Sabeeha Kassam The Confederation of British Industry (CBI) is calling for the following key changes to put diversity and inclusion (D&I) firmly on the agenda in business: Equal opportunities access, regardless of age, disability, race, religion, gender and sexual orientation, in all areas from recruitment through to career progression. Equipping managers […]

Success Story – Online Training And Education With A Chronic Illness

coffee cup next to open laptop and notebook, ready for online training

Astriid Candidate Meesh tells us about her experience of online training with a chronic illness, and how her studies with tech company WithYouWithMe are equipping her to find her ideal role. Keep reading to find out more! Hi Meesh! Would you like to tell us a bit more about you? I am a wife of […]

How Can Companies Beat The Rising Costs Of Doing Business?

piggy bank facing some small coins, representing rising costs of business

Written by Astriid volunteer Sabeeha Kassam. This summer, the CBI provided a not-so-bright forecast for the British economy; warning of an imminent recession unless the government does more to invest in business. Their outlook suggests ‘‘a decrease in gross domestic product (GDP) from 3.7% in 2022 and 1.0% in 2023. They previously predicted 5.1% dropping […]