CONSULTATION RESPONSE
PE1036/G
Public Petitions Committee PE1036 and PE1069
August 2008
Introduction
The Federation of Small Businesses is Scotland’s largest direct-member
business organisation, representing almost 20,000 members. The FSB
campaigns for an economic and social environment which allows small
businesses to grow and prosper.
We welcome the opportunity to respond to the consultation on the above
petitions as in the past FSB Scotland has worked with the Disability Rights
Commission (as was) and has a strong track record of contributing to the
debate in this area.
FSB Scotland Comments
While we have no direct experience of Remploy, we do recognise that home
working is becoming a more significant part of the economy. Many small
businesses can be more flexible than their larger counterparts and can take
account of individual circumstances.
The FSB agrees with research showing that employing disabled people makes
sound business sense. Clearly more people in the recruitment pool, helps
employers and firms with a diverse workforce attract a diverse range of
customers. This also increases the chance of gaining big contracts from both
the public and private sectors.
A better public image is more likely to be fostered by firms that employ
disabled people as the business is then seen to be a fair and inclusive one.
FSB members and other employers have found that disabled employees stay
in the job for longer and have a strong commitment to work. We know that
employing disabled people can help to increase the number of disabled
customers using a business service.
The Federation of Small Businesses provides its 20,000 members in Scotland
with comprehensive legal advice regarding their obligations as employers
under the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA). The vast majority of employers,
according to the FSB’s in-house surveys, are aware that it is unlawful to
discriminate against disabled people in recruitment and employment. Since
October 2004, all employment has come within the scope of the DDA. The
FSB always reminds its members of the need to make reasonable adjustments
to recruitment processes, work arrangements and the working environment to
accommodate disabled people. We have also had discussions with the DRC
sharing the experience of small businesses implementing the legislation and
74 Berkeley St, Glasgow, G3 7DS t: 0141 221 0775 f: 0141 221 5954
e: scotland.policy@fsb.org.uk w: www.fsb.org.uk/scotland
discussing any difficulties surrounding interpretation.
Generally, the
experience of the FSB is that the cost of most adjustments is likelyPE1036/G
to be
negligible.
However, we also support financial assistance for small
businesses, through for example Access to Work, to help overcome workrelated obstacles resulting from disability.
For further information on any of the points raised in this submission, please contact Martyn McIntyre, Policy
Officer, on martyn.mcintyre@fsb.org.uk or 0141 221 0775.
74 Berkeley St, Glasgow, G3 7DS t: 0141 221 0775 f: 0141 221 5954
e: scotland.policy@fsb.org.uk w: www.fsb.org.uk/scotland