Personnel Today
  • OHW+
  • Resources
    • Clinical governance
    • Disability
    • Ergonomics
    • Health surveillance
    • OH employment law
    • OH service delivery
    • Research
    • Return to work and rehabilitation
    • Sickness absence management
    • Wellbeing and health promotion
  • Conditions
    • Mental health
    • Musculoskeletal disorders
    • Blood pressure
    • Cancer
    • Cardiac
    • Dementia
    • Diabetes
    • Respiratory
    • Stroke
  • CPD
  • Webinars
  • Jobs
  • Personnel Today

Personnel Today

Register
Log in
Personnel Today
  • OHW+
  • Resources
    • Clinical governance
    • Disability
    • Ergonomics
    • Health surveillance
    • OH employment law
    • OH service delivery
    • Research
    • Return to work and rehabilitation
    • Sickness absence management
    • Wellbeing and health promotion
  • Conditions
    • Mental health
    • Musculoskeletal disorders
    • Blood pressure
    • Cancer
    • Cardiac
    • Dementia
    • Diabetes
    • Respiratory
    • Stroke
  • CPD
  • Webinars
  • Jobs
  • Personnel Today

Reasonable adjustmentsDisabilityDisability discriminationEquality, diversity and inclusion

Deaf workers: one in four has quit a job because of discrimination

by Clare Allerton 25 Aug 2016
by Clare Allerton 25 Aug 2016

One in four workers with hearing loss has been forced to quit a job because of discrimination, according to a survey by totaljobs. 

The job board’s research found that, although there are more than 11 million people in the UK with some form of hearing loss, the majority of deaf employees have experienced discrimination in the workplace.

The Deaf jobseeker and employee experiences survey report 2016 revealed that more than half (56%) of deaf or hard of hearing employees have been subject to discrimination during their career.

Discrimination resources

Disability discrimination

Good practice manual: disability

More than six in 10 (62%) have faced discrimination from colleagues, and more than half (53%) had experienced it from management. More than one-third (37%) have experienced discrimination as early as the interview stage.

Other types of discrimination faced included being bypassed for promotion (reported by 27% of respondents); and pay (11%).

Dr Terry Riley OBE, chair of the British Deaf Association, said: “The survey clearly shows a lack of support for deaf people in employment. We must make sure more employers and deaf employees are fully aware of the availability of [government support system] Access to Work, which is vital in helping deaf people reach their full potential at work.”

Of those respondents currently employed, only just over half (52%) said that they were satisfied with their job.

While around three-quarters (74%) of deaf people felt confident that they have the right skills to look for work, almost the same number (72%) have received no support when jobhunting. Only 13% of respondents believed there is enough support available to help deaf people to look for work.

Rob Burley, head of public affairs and campaigns at Action on Hearing Loss, said: “We know that people with hearing loss face significant barriers when looking for work.

It’s imperative that employers change their attitudes towards both employing people who are deaf or hard of hearing and to supporting those already in the workforce who may have, or might develop, a hearing loss.”

Workplace awareness

One in four workers stated that there is no provision for deaf employees at their workplace and nearly half (47%) said that they did not receive support and guidance from their employer for issues related to being deaf.

Worryingly, almost one-fifth (19%) have not told their employer that they are deaf or have experienced hearing loss.

These figures are heightened by an absence of understanding across UK businesses, with just over one-third (34%) of deaf people claiming a lack of awareness as the biggest challenge they face in the workplace.

Feeling isolated or left out was also reported by 16% of those surveyed.

Sign up to our weekly round-up of HR news and guidance

Receive the Personnel Today Direct e-newsletter every Wednesday

OptOut
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

John Salt, totaljobs group sales director, commented: “Sadly, discrimination in the workplace can be compounded by a lack of awareness and support from employers.

“But the benefits of providing this support are obvious. Inclusive employers that engage diverse workforces tap into a broad talent pool with skills, abilities and experience that bring fresh perspective and benefits to the business.”

Clare Allerton

Clare Allerton joined Brightmine in 2014 and is now a senior production editor. She has more than 12 years’ experience of legal editing and previously worked on a variety of online and print publications dealing with family, property, tax and employment law issues.

previous post
Whistleblowing: five steps to be compliant with recent changes to legislation
next post
Workers received a “real-terms” pay rise in last quarter, says XpertHR

2 comments

Victoria Shaw 11 Feb 2018 - 4:32 pm

I half deaf can’t get Volunteer job because of my half deaf and just give up trying do Befiend volunteering roll because I get reject because of my half deaf

DeafJobWizard.com 15 Jul 2018 - 1:11 am

Organizations and businesses that post job vacancies on DeafJobWizard.com are looking for deaf and hard of hearing people to fill the positions. Might worth your time checking out the job listings to see if any jobs that are a good match for you. You want to work at places that aim to hire deaf and hard of hearing people. By the way, DeafJobWizard.com also have excellent blog on various topics related to deaf employment.

Comments are closed.

You may also like

Fewer workers would comply with a return-to-office mandate

21 May 2025

Redefining leadership: From competence to inclusion

21 May 2025

Consultation launched after Supreme Court ‘sex’ ruling

20 May 2025

Uncertainty over law hampering legal use of medical...

20 May 2025

Black security manager awarded £360k after decade of...

20 May 2025

Union rep teacher awarded £370k for unfair dismissal

15 May 2025

EHRC bows to pressure and extends gender consultation

15 May 2025

Culture, ‘micro-incivilities’ and invisible talent

14 May 2025

Why fighting the DEI backlash is about PR...

9 May 2025

So what does the election of a new...

9 May 2025

  • 2025 Employee Communications Report PROMOTED | HR and leadership...Read more
  • The Majority of Employees Have Their Eyes on Their Next Move PROMOTED | A staggering 65%...Read more
  • Prioritising performance management: Strategies for success (webinar) WEBINAR | In today’s fast-paced...Read more
  • Self-Leadership: The Key to Successful Organisations PROMOTED | Eletive is helping businesses...Read more
  • Retaining Female Talent: Four Ways to Reduce Workplace Drop Out PROMOTED | International Women’s Day...Read more

Personnel Today Jobs
 

Search Jobs

PERSONNEL TODAY

About us
Contact us
Browse all HR topics
Email newsletters
Content feeds
Cookies policy
Privacy policy
Terms and conditions

JOBS

Personnel Today Jobs
Post a job
Why advertise with us?

EVENTS & PRODUCTS

The Personnel Today Awards
The RAD Awards
Employee Benefits
Forum for Expatriate Management
OHW+
Whatmedia

ADVERTISING & PR

Advertising opportunities
Features list 2025

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Linkedin


© 2011 - 2025 DVV Media International Ltd

Personnel Today
  • OHW+
  • Resources
    • Clinical governance
    • Disability
    • Ergonomics
    • Health surveillance
    • OH employment law
    • OH service delivery
    • Research
    • Return to work and rehabilitation
    • Sickness absence management
    • Wellbeing and health promotion
  • Conditions
    • Mental health
    • Musculoskeletal disorders
    • Blood pressure
    • Cancer
    • Cardiac
    • Dementia
    • Diabetes
    • Respiratory
    • Stroke
  • CPD
  • Webinars
  • Jobs
  • Personnel Today