Deaf face discrimination in workplace


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


The report revealed that more than half (56%) of deaf or hard of hearing employees have been subject to discrimination during their career.


More than three in five (62%) have faced discrimination from colleagues, and more than half (53%) had experienced it from management. Well over a third (37%) have experienced discrimination as early as the interview stage.


Other types of discrimination faced included being bypassed for promotion, reported by just over a quarter of respondents (27%); and pay, cited by one in 10 respondents.


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


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 reported by 16% of those surveyed.

www.totaljobs.com/insidejob/1-4-deaf-people-quit-job-due-discrimination