DISABLED workers have demanded the government sanction bosses who do not provide reasonable adjustments with automatic fines.

Following questions from union delegates representing disabled workers from various sectors, employment minister Diana Johnson said today that mandatory requirements were not yet on the table but that this may be open to future “review.”

Prison Officers’ Association (POA) delegate Angela Montgomery asked Ms Johnson if the government “will enact legislation to make it compulsory for employers to put in reasonable adjustments for those with a disability within three months.”

The POA delegate said the money collected from an eventual automatic fine could then be invested in supporting the implementation of new relevant legislation.

She added that 90 per cent of these adjustments “are at minimal cost and complexity to all employers.”

The North Hull MP responded, admitting that employers “don’t quite understand what it is they are supposed to do” in regards to these accommodations.

While Ms Johnson shied away from committing to a mandatory system, she indicated the government could consider such a measure, saying it “will keep everything under review.”

She added that ministers believe current plans “to give employers the information to help them make the right decision” would be sufficient as the executives “really want to get this right.”

NASUWT delegate Bex Tether asked the minister the same question, adding that disabled people “are not leaving work because they lack commitment or capability – it is employers failing to make reasonable adjustments, ignoring workloads, and occupational health advice.”

She then asked how the government would ensure upcoming legislation “not become another voluntary framework” which fails to lead to employer accountability.

The minister responded saying that “a lot of employers want to get this right” and perhaps have not had access to relevant information.