Back to work | Disabled staff fear for their jobs

Disabled workers have reportedly been missed off the Government’s vulnerable list, The Guardian has revealed, meaning disabled workers and their carers will be forced to return to work despite fears over coronavirus.

Reports have indicated that some employers are forcing these workers to return to work, despite being at high risk of contracting the virus, if they are unable to provide a letter from the Government showing proof of vulnerability.

While the Government’s register for extremely vulnerable people has previously been criticised as it excluded a high number of high-risk disabilities, it was designed to shine a light on those who needed support. Despite this, some employers have started to take advantage of the list as a condition for allowing employees to take paid leave.

Disabled workers and carers who are not on the list told The Guardian that they had been required to go to work by their employer or face dismissal when they couldn’t show proof of vulnerability. This left one worker needing to self-isolate between shifts in order to protect their disabled child.