One of the most underutilised yet powerful resources available to employers in the UK is the Access to Work (ATW) scheme, a government grant that provides up to £69,000 per year, per employee to fund support for individuals with health conditions impacting them at work.

Despite its benefits, ATW remains significantly underused, with fewer than 1% of eligible individuals accessing it. As upcoming regulatory changes for employers increases risk, it’s imperative that ATW remains a cornerstone of Government policy, enabling disabled people to thrive in work.

What is Access to Work?

Employers have a legal duty to make adjustments for disabled people at work, the ‘reasonableness’ of which will be determined on factors such as employer size and resources.

Unlike large corporations, startups often lack the extensive HR infrastructure to implement tailored workplace adjustments independently. ATW removes financial barriers, allowing startups to support talented employees without significant costs, and levelling the playing field for everybody.

The scheme fills in the gaps by providing support additional to reasonable adjustments. It’s an independent process, involving a workplace assessment where individuals can be granted tailored support such as standing desks, specialised coaching, technological support, or workplace training.

Although the average cost of a reasonable adjustment is £75, with many free and easy to implement, such as flexible working hours, ATW provides a vital source of support for employers and employees alike - here’s why:

Unlocking diverse talent pools

The startup ecosystem thrives on innovation, agility, and problem-solving – qualities that neurodivergent and disabled individuals bring in abundance. Living in an inaccessible world means we are often adept at creative, out-of-the-box solutions, and highly resilient.

By leveraging ATW, startups can attract and retain top-tier talent, especially those who may otherwise face barriers to employment.

Reducing costs and boosting productivity

For cash-strapped startups, investing in workplace adjustments can seem daunting, especially as they may not be immediately apparent. ATW provides government-backed support, ensuring businesses can implement necessary adaptations without financial strain or stress.

This is especially important given the dynamic startup environment, where disability considerations may have legal implications for situations such as performance, onboarding, training, and redundancy.

ATW support equals higher job satisfaction, increased retention, and greater productivity – a win-win for both employer and employee, contributing to the economy.

Meeting legal and ethical responsibilities

Startups that embrace ATW reduce legal risks and demonstrate a commitment to equity and inclusion – a crucial factor for attracting investors and customers.

Using ATW can help employers to implement the approach of the law being the ‘floor, not the ceiling’. Instead of simply enabling disabled employees to survive at work, ATW can help them to thrive.

Employers who signpost towards support, assist with applications, and cover initial costs upfront can help employees to make full use of this scheme, reaching their full potential within the workplace.

The future of ATW: why it must stay

Due to increasingly volatile working environments post pandemic, repeated lockdowns and shifts in working patterns, such as working from home, employers are largely still establishing the ‘new normal’.

This can result in inaccessibility for the one in four people who are disabled, as seen by a 40% increase in the number of employment tribunals related to invisible disabilities in one year.

Amidst this uncertainty, ATW is a lifeline, empowering employers to build resilient, innovative teams. Cutting or restricting this scheme would be a significant detriment to businesses, employees, and the UK economy.

For employers and employees alike, ATW is not just a nice-to-have, it’s a business imperative. Ensuring its continued existence and improvement should be a priority for both government policymakers and forward-thinking entrepreneurs.

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