An online service to help small businesses employ staff with health issues and disabilities has been launched by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)
“The service is aimed at smaller businesses, many of which do not have in-house human resources (HR) support or access to an occupational health service and will help them to build more diverse and inclusive workforces,” DWP said in a statement.
The move comes as recruitment and the skills shortage have impacted the small business economy.
The Federation of Small Businesses has reported that confidence amongst small business owners has been at its lowest levels since the Covid-19 pandemic. Small businesses told the federation that rising costs, including recruitment, were leading to revenues falling in the third quarter of 2022.
Over 40% of small businesses said they expect revenue to continue to fall in the fourth quarter.
The DWP Support with Employee Health and Disability service was launched as a test site with an invitation to business and disability groups to provide feedback via an online survey.
Future improvements
“The site will be constantly updated and improved over the next three years, informed by feedback given from the survey,” DWP said.
The department added that the Support with Employee Health and Disability service would provide information on the legal obligations that small businesses must make for disabled workers and those with a health condition, supporting a return to work, management tips and Q&A material.
The service is part of a £6.4 million investment in disability and employment.
