Reasonable adjustments: a legal duty

Resources  

Explore our comprehensive information and resources on reasonable adjustments below, covering:
- Why reasonable adjustments are important.
- Types of adjustments with examples, including veterinary workplace examples drawn from our research.
- The financial support and guidance available.
- Key points to consider when approaching reasonable adjustments in your organisation. 

• Reasonable adjustments at work, Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (Acas) 
  A good overview of reasonable adjustments, including: the employer's duty to make adjustments under the Equality Act 2010; what is meant by the term 'reasonable'; sources of financial support available; and some examples of types of adjustments. Links to related topics are also provided.
  What reasonable adjustments are - reasonable adjustments at work | Acas (12 minute read)
• Reasonable Adjustments and Employment, Business Disability Forum (BDF)  
  This resource discusses specific legal terminology around disability discrimination and reasonable adjustments. It also includes a short case study. 
  Legal Ease - Reasonable adjustments and employment (20 minute read)
• Understanding workplace adjustments infographic, NHS Employers 
  A digital infographic developed by the NHS which illustrates the different types of adjustments that can be implemented to support disabled staff in their roles, and provides links to related content including FAQs for managers. The infographic is also available to download as a PDF.  
  Understanding workplace adjustments infographic | NHS Employers (5 minute read)
• Access to work, Business Disability Forum (BDF) 
  This page gives a comprehensive summary of the Government’s to Access to Work Scheme (ATW), which provides financial support to disabled job candidates and employees to help them start or stay in work. It covers the types of support, eligibility and exclusions, application process and FAQs.  
  Access to Work (15 minute read)
• A manager’s guide to Access to Work, Scope for Business 
  Provides guidance on the Access to Work scheme and reasonable adjustments for managers, with good links to other resources. 
  A manager's guide to Access to Work (15 minute read)
• Advice for employers on workplace adjustments for mental health conditions, NHS Health at Work Network 
  This comprehensive resource gives guidance on reasonable adjustments for people with mental health conditions. It looks at the business case for making adjustments, and contains practical examples, case studies and links to further resources. 
  Mental Health Adjustments Guidance Final RT.doc (30 minute read)
• Workplace adjustments for deaf people and people with hearing loss, Royal National Institute for the Deaf (RNID) 
  This resource focusses on adjustments for deaf people and people with hearing loss. It includes tips for making adjustments to the working environment, flexible working, assistive products and technology, and communication support.   
  Workplace adjustments for deaf people and people with hearing loss | RNID (8 minute read)
• Reasonable Adjustments – Neurodiversity, Association of Graduate Careers Advisory Services, (AGCAS) Disability Task Group 
  Aimed at neurodivergent students making the transition from university to the workplace, this document presents various adjustments and strategies to address challenges encountered in the working environment. It also contains links to other resources.  
  Reasonable_Adjustments_- Neurodiversity.pdf (15 minute read)
• Menopause in the workplace: guidance for employers, Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) 
  Designed to help employers understand their legal obligations in relation to supporting employees experiencing menopause and perimenopause, this guide includes three helpful and informative videos:
  Menopause and the Equality Act 2010 (1.24 minute watch) 
  Making workplace adjustments and preventing discrimination (3.02 minute watch) 
  Conversations about the menopause (1.42 minute watch). 
  Menopause in the workplace: guidance for employers | EHRC (12 minute read)

Examples of reasonable adjustments in veterinary workplaces

Below you will find a list of veterinary-specific examples of reasonable adjustments provided by respondents to the Disability and Chronic Illness in Veterinary Work and Education (2024) survey. Further veterinary examples and case studies will appear on these pages over the coming months. 

Changes to how tasks and work is assigned

• Weight limits or assistance with lifting heavy objects and equipment.
• Assignment of helper to hold heavier animals. 
• Shift buddies/no lone working. 
• Lighter duties or office-based work for difficult days. 
• Selected duties to avoid aggravating conditions. 
• Being able to undertake certain tasks from home. 
• Split clinical and administrative work. 
• Additional time to complete tasks.
• Providing different ways to communicate instructions/training/learning materials (other than verbally).  

Adapting the working environment 

• Providing stools in prep areas and theatre.
• Providing seating in consultation rooms.
• Adjustable height consult tables. 
• Height adjustable workstations. 
• Ergonomic computers/keyboards/mice and desk chairs. 
• Noise-cancelling headphones. 
• Specialised stethoscopes.  
• Dictation facilities. 
• Quiet space away from phones/clients/other staff. 
• Thermostatic radiator to control temperature. 
• Adjustable lighting. 

Flexible working 

• Setting up a suitable working pattern for individuals. 
• Regular rest breaks – shorter and more frequent or longer (unpaid) breaks if needed. 
• Flexibility with shifts and breaks to collect medication, attend appointments or have treatment. 
• Changes to the rota or cover from other colleagues if required. 
• Reducing hours from full-time to part-time. 
• Changing working patterns to accommodate rest days. 
• Occasional working from home.
• Solely office-based work for some of the week.