HR Director launches new ESB Disability Code

Hr Executive Director Luke Shinnors formally launched the new ESB Code of Practice for People with Disabilities on Thursday, February 26th. The Code was updated by the Joint Equality Council and has received the approval of ESB Senior Management and the Group of Unions.

Many legal and social changes have taken place since the code was last revised in 2000. The new document meets the requirements of the Equal Status Acts, the Safety, Health & Welfare at Work Act, the Disability Act and a 2008 EU ruling prohibiting indirect discrimination against the parents of children with disabilities in certain circumstances. It also complies with the Council of Europe Disability Action Plan 2006 – 2015 and takes account of current bestpractice in the area of disability.

Much of the structure and content of the earlier code is retained, but the new revision includes additional information on equality legislation, disclosure of disabilities, disability awareness training, more detailed induction arrangements for staff with disabilities, career development, accessible working environments and communications.

A new section has been added to cover guide dogs for people with vision-loss, and assistance dogs for people with other disabilities. Stronger content has been introduced on safety and evacuation risk-management and promoting the use of Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans.

It also includes an updated contact list of disability-related organisations.

There is also an emphasis on the use of positive nonstereotypical language, and an expressed desire to surpass the 3 per cent public service employment quota for people with disabilities.

In line with corporate sustainability objectives, ESB's intranet service ESBnet, is the primary channel for publishing the new Code in standard and large-print formats.

Printed copies of the new Code are available from the Equality & Diversity Office for staff who do not have ready access to ESBnet.