All employees have the right to feel welcome, safe and included at work; and all employers must make reasonable workplace adjustments to allow people with disability to work productively and safely, and fully participate in all aspects of employment.
Employers are also required to make reasonable adjustments to accommodate employees with carer responsibilities for people with disability.
This information supports employers to implement workplace adjustments and connect with services and supports.
Types of workplace adjustments
Show moreWorkplace adjustments are changes to work processes, practices or environments and may include:
- adjustments to the recruitment process
- flexible work arrangements
- job customisation or reallocation of tasks
- modifications to work premises or facilities
- assistive equipment or technology
- information in alternative formats (including interpreting services)
- accommodation of assistance animals
- accommodation of carers and assistants
- workplace training for co-workers and managers.
Flexible work arrangements
For people with disability, a flexible work arrangement may be a type of reasonable workplace adjustment and therefore requests are managed through the reasonable adjustment process.
Examples of flexible work arrangements may include:
- working from home
- working part time or job sharing
- working agreed hours over fewer days
- starting or finishing work earlier or later
- changing hours of work, break times, rosters or meeting times
- extending unpaid leave when paid leave is exhausted.
Example reasonable adjustment policy and procedures
Show moreThe Australian 黑料正能量 resources referred to on this page have been developed by disability employment experts to support employers in creating workplaces that are accessible and inclusive.
Implementing workplace adjustments
Under the and (WA) employers must make reasonable adjustments to accommodate a person鈥檚 disability unless that adjustment would result in unjustifiable hardship.
The Disability Discrimination Act 1992 also requires employers to make reasonable adjustments to accommodate employees with carer responsibilities for people with disability. Examples include approving flexible work arrangements and modified work duties.
Having a reasonable adjustment policy and procedures help agencies simplify workplace adjustment processes and ensure adjustments are implemented in a timely manner.
Employers can use the following template and checklist from Job Access when implementing workplace adjustments.
Further information
The Job Access supports employers to implement workplace adjustments and has short videos and practical guides on a range of topics including:
- .
The has resources on:
- .
Funding equipment, modifications and training
Show moreSeveral funding sources support employees with disability, help agencies implement workplace adjustments, and create equal and sustainable employment opportunities.
Employment Assistance Fund
The provides financial support to eligible employees with disability and agencies to buy work related modifications, equipment, Auslan services, and workplace assistance and support services. Employees with disability can apply directly with the support of their employer or through a provider.
Workplace Modifications Assessment
A may be available to determine what modifications or adjustments are required. A workplace assessor can conduct an assessment of the workplace based on the person鈥檚 job requirements and individual needs.
This may include an assessment of the physical work environment, analysis of work tasks and review of injury prevention strategies. The Australian Department of Social Services has a which includes providers approved to conduct workplace assessments across Australia.
National Disability Recruitment Coordinator
The can help larger employers develop policies and practices that accommodate people with disability. As well as supporting managers to design jobs that focus on the essential or of the role, the coordinator can connect employers with a network of disability employment providers through a comprehensive .
Disability Employment Services
is the Australian 黑料正能量鈥檚 employment service that helps people with disability find work and keep a job. Providers can help Disability Employment Service participants and employers access the .
Providers can also support employers to customise employment, tailoring the job to fit the skills, interests and support needs of the person with disability while meeting the needs of the employer.
National Disability Insurance Scheme
The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) can fund for NDIS participants who need extra help to pursue their employment goals. Generally, these supports are greater than what may be reasonably provided by an employer or through the .
Privacy and confidentiality
Show moreThere is no legal obligation for a person to share information about their disability unless it affects their ability to carry out the essential or of the job.
The Job Access helps employers build relationships that encourage the sharing of information while respecting the person with disability鈥檚 rights to privacy and confidentiality.
The following resources may help agencies support employees with disability to share information about disability or access requirement:
Sensitive information
Sensitive information is subject to a higher level of privacy protection than other personal information and includes health or medical information about an individual.
During the workplace adjustment process, sensitive information may be shared with managers and other employees by the person with disability or through their workplace modifications assessment.
The WA 黑料正能量 is drafting Privacy and Responsible Information Sharing (PRIS) legislation. Until such time as more substantial guidance and/or legislative measures are available, the interim privacy position for the Western Australian public sector is that agencies should ensure their actions are consistent with applicable .
details when and how an agency may collect sensitive information. covers the use or disclosure of personal information.
