Dyslexia in the workplace
January 14, 2005
The Trades Union Congress (TUC) has published a new report on dyslexia in the workplace, which it describes as the "hidden disability".
The condition affects up to 2.9 million workers in the UK and the TUC claims that many employers are not doing enough to tackle the condition at work.
The TUC says that managers who do not appreciate the link between dyslexia and common performance problems can often judge dyslexic employees unfairly.
In addition, many people with dyslexia are unaware of their condition and are likely to be anxious, frustrated and suffer from low self-esteem at work.
The report highlights the most common problems that dyslexics suffer at work, which relate to:
- following written or spoken instructions
- dealing with maps, charts and tables
- writing memos, letters and reports
- giving presentations
- scheduling work and meetings and keeping track of appointments
The TUC report offers advice on how working practices can be changed to maximise the potential of employees with dyslexia. While dyslexic people may have problems with certain aspects of their work, they are likely to have strengths in other areas and amending working practices can ensure that both the employee and the company benefit.
The report contains a number of case studies, as well as tribunal cases in which workers with dyslexia have sought the protection of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 in court action against their employers.
To order the publication, contact the TUC. Tel: 020 7467 1294.
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