More than a quarter of UK offices do not cater for wheelchair users, a survey has revealed.

 

The survey, which went out to more than 1,000 workers across the UK, shows 27% of offices don’t have sufficient access for people who use wheelchairs.

 

The news sheds more light on inequality in the workplace, coming days after reports have revealed the pay gap for people with physical disabilities is almost 10%.

 

Workspace design specialist Penketh Group carried out the survey in conjunction with YouGov. Data was collected from workers across the UK, based in different roles, sectors and working environments.

 

Chris Birchall, Workplace Strategist at Penketh Group, said: “The results from our survey are deeply concerning. They shed more light on the inequality crisis that is apparent in the UK workplace today, especially for people with physical disabilities. Businesses need to realise that inclusivity is more than just a box-ticking exercise. If they want to get the best from the workforce, they need to start catering for all employees, regardless of their physical ability and fully understand what they need to do their jobs.”

 

Other findings in the survey include that 34% of workers want wheelchair access to be improved in their workplace. 30% of 18 to 24-year olds also think their workplace doesn’t cater for people with varying physical abilities.

 

Despite the findings, Chris said that he has seen an increase in businesses being aware of workplace issues regarding inclusivity.

 

He said: “We’ve certainly noticed clients picking up on more workplace issues, which lead back to inclusivity – even if they can’t explicitly name or identify what it is they’re referring to. Businesses are becoming more aware of the need to provide for staff from all different walks of life and the benefits this brings about, but more needs to be done.”

 

The survey was completed as part of the report, Inclusive Workplaces: The Future of Office Design & Culture. The report is a review of how workplaces today are catering for an increasingly diverse workforce to determine what businesses should be doing to become more inclusive in the future.

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NOTES TO EDITORS

 

About the Inclusive Workplaces: The Future of Office Design & Culture report

 

Inclusive Workplaces: The Future of Office Design & Culture, which was published in November 2019, is a review of how workplaces today are catering for an increasingly diverse workforce. It also looks at what businesses should be doing to become more inclusive going forward.

 

The report was put together by the workplace furniture and design company, Penketh Group, in conjunction with leading market research and data analytics firm YouGov.

 

To compile the 2019 report, data was collected from a range of UK office workers in different roles, sectors and working environments, representing a total of over 1,000 employees. It was also supplemented by the recommendations of Penketh Group design and product experts.

 

About Penketh Group

 

Penketh Group is a North West office interiors, fit out and refurbishment company, with showrooms on the Wirral and in Manchester city centre. With more than 40 years’ in the industry, the company applies its knowledge and experience to provide customers across the region with bespoke solutions for workplace design, furniture, space configuration and technology. The company has been driving innovation and excellence through its various services since 1976, which also include business supplies and managed print.

 

As the winner of the Mixology North ‘Furniture Provider of the Year’ award in 2017, the company is also recognised within the industry for its partnership with Steelcase, a global furniture manufacturer and research body. Steelcase invests more than $50 million per year into researching the latest trends and product developments in commercial design, which Penketh Group is then able to share with its customers.