Equality: Disability Discrimination

Obese, depressed and diabetic employees: are they disabled?

Obesity, depression and diabetes are not conditions that ordinarily give rise to a view that the persons suffering are disabled. However, under the Equality Bill 2016 (the "Bill"), which is expected to receive Royal Assent towards the middle of the year, depending on the effect of those conditions, that may well be the case and employers will be required to prevent those persons from being discriminated against in the workplace.

An employee will be considered disabled under the Bill if they have a physical or mental impairment that has a 'substantial' and 'long-term' negative effect on their ability to do normal daily activities.