The PDA Ability Network’s ‘Standing up for Sitting Down’ campaign aims to create a compassionate culture of dignity in the workplace where there is zero tolerance for discrimination.
Over 50% of respondents to the PDA’s disability discrimination survey said that they had experienced disability discrimination at work. Of those who had experienced discrimination, over 60% said it was from their manager and 48% from colleagues.
The PDA knows that where employees work in an inclusive workplace, free from discrimination, they can work happily and feel like a valued member of the team. An anonymous PDA member said, “I am very fortunate at work as my colleagues are always helpful to me. Particularly with opening heavy doors and running errands.”
However, many respondents talked about the discrimination they faced from managers, colleagues and patients along with the impact it has had on them. Some respondents described being “made to feel guilty” for using the bathroom, feeling “let down, discarded and forgotten”, and the “lack of support and understanding added to my mental and physical stress.”
The PDA is therefore calling on employers to work with employees to create a culture where pharmacists with disabilities and long-term health conditions are valued, supported and protected from discrimination. Employers must have appropriate policies in place, proper implementation of these policies, equalities training for everyone and create an inclusive culture which is co-operative, collaborative and flexible. Employers must also create a culture which appreciates and welcomes employees of all backgrounds and diverse characteristics, after all, as one member said, “disabilities aren’t a crime or a stigma.”
Get involved
- If you would like to get more involved in this campaign or any other activities of the network, please email ability@the-pda.org.
- Join the PDA Ability Network here.
- Follow the PDA Ability Network on social media using the hashtag #PDAability
Learn more
- It’s Time to Address Discrimination: Standing up for Sitting Down
- PDA Ability Network releases initial findings from the disability discrimination survey
- ‘It’s Time’ campaign series
Not yet a PDA member?
If you have not yet joined the PDA, we encourage you to join today and ask your colleagues to do the same.
Membership is FREE to pharmacy students, trainee pharmacists and for the first three months of being newly qualified.
Read about our key member benefits here.