Oxfordshire NEU Summer Newsletter 2025 - Flipbook - Page 8
Disability Leave
Securing Disability Leave: A Step
Forward for Disabled Workers.
9
That s why this motion was so important to pass.
9
Our union s model disability leave policy provides
At
9
this
year s
conference,
I
had
the
honour
of
a clear, practical framework that empowers reps
moving a motion on behalf of Oxfordshire NEU
and
calling
adjustments
for
the
widespread
disability leave policies
4
implementation
of
9
and I m proud to share
members
to
and
negotiate
ensure
reasonable
that
disability-related
absences are managed fairly.
The motion also
called for the rollout of the Disability Equality
that the motion was passed unanimously.
Toolkit across all districts and branches.
This campaign is deeply personal to me. I live with
endometriosis
debilitating
and
adenomyosis
conditions
that
4
two
cause
Resources can
chronic,
severe
been found by
pain,
clicking here
fatigue, and unpredictable flare-ups. Like so many
9
others with long-term health conditions, I ve faced
the impossible choice between pushing through
pain
or
taking
consequences.
absences
are
time
Too
off
and
often,
treated
as
fearing
the
disability-related
standard
sickness
The
NEU
reps
to
will
be
providing
lead
training
workplace
to
support
meetings
with
absence, and that leads to disabled workers being
management, helping to embed disability leave
subjected
policies as standard practice. And if management
to
unfair
and
discriminatory
absence
management procedures.
refuses, then we must be prepared to escalate
This is not just bad practice
the
Equality
Act
2010.
4
including supporting ballots for industrial action
4 9
it s unlawful under
Employers
have
a
9
to defend our members rights.
legal
duty to ensure that disabled employees are not
Disability
discriminated against, and that includes adapting
legal compliance and as a union we cannot allow
absence
disabled
policies
to
accommodate
disability-
leave
is
workers
about
to
be
dignity,
fairness,
penalised
simply
and
for
related needs. Yet too many employers continue
managing their health. With this motion passed,
to fall short.
we now have the backing of conference to take
Disability leave has been life-changing for me. It
meaningful
has given me the security to manage my health
and workplace to make this a priority.
9
action
4
and
I
encourage
without fear of punishment. But it shouldn t be a
privilege
for
the
disabled workers.
few
4
it
must
be
a
right
for
all
Leigh Seedhouse
Oxfordshire Joint Distirct Secretary
every
rep
