New Disability Confident guidance has been published to help managers recruit, retain, and foster the progression of disabled people and those with health conditions in the workplace.

The Disability Confident scheme is voluntary and helps employers make the most of the opportunities that can come from employing and developing disabled people.

The new guide has been produced jointly by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD). Its objective is to help employers and employees get the most from the Disability Confident scheme, boost disability employment and reduce the disability employment gap.

The guide covers subjects such as why it makes good business sense, what the role of the manager is and legal responsibilities and definitions.

There are practical tips and advice on language and behaviour, as well as examples of the reasonable adjustments an employer might make.

It can be challenging to attract a sufficiently wide range of applicants when recruiting, so the guide provides advice on how this can be done more effectively to reach more people. Top tips are available too to help with welcoming a new starter.

Advice on how to handle an employee disclosing a disability or long-term health condition is included in the guide, and it also sets out what can be done to help with career progression.

Being a Disability Confident business can not only help more disabled people and those with long-term health conditions to improve their lives through work, but it also makes good business sense.

The practical guide for managers can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/disability-confident-and-cipd-guide-for-line-managers-on-employing-people-with-a-disability-or-health-condition/guide-for-line-managers-recruiting-managing-and-developing-people-with-a-disability-or-health-condition#recruiting-people

Further details on the Disability Confident employer scheme can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/disability-confident-campaign