Written question asked by David Stewart (Labour) on Thursday, 1 July 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 14 July 2004. It was answered by Maria Eagle (Labour) on Wednesday, 14 July 2004 on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions.

Dept for Work and Pensions

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will introduce legislation to support disability leave for those people who develop a disability and need time away from work to adjust and learn new working methods.

Answer: Mr. David Stewart: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will introduce legislation to support disability leave for those people who develop a disability and need time away from work to adjust and learn new working methods. [182598] Maria Eagle: Where an employee is covered by the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA), the provision of disability leave might be a reasonable adjustment for an employer to make. Therefore, we do not consider it necessary to introduce legislation to provide for statutory disability leave. The Code of Practice on the employment provisions of the DDA, published by the Disability Rights Commission, suggests that allowing time off during working hours for rehabilitation, assessment or treatment is likely to constitute a reasonable adjustment.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 182598; 423 c1206W
Session: 2003-04
Subjects: Disability Conditions of employment Leave Medical treatments Rehabilitation
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk