The ‘Standing Up for Sitting Down’ campaign was created by the PDA Ability Network, following a recent survey that found that many pharmacists were not being provided the reasonable adjustments that they required.
The PDA believes that it’s crucial for all workers to receive the reasonable adjustments they need, and so this event was designed to not only launch the campaign but also educate members on their legal rights at work and how the PDA can support them.
At the start of the hour-long event, PDA Organiser, Liz Larkin discussed the motivation behind the campaign and explained that it aims to support pharmacists who have all forms of disabilities and long-term health conditions, including those that have physical and/or mental impacts. She then covered the asks of the campaign and how to take part.
PDA Director of Defence Services, Mark Pitt explained discrimination law and the meaning of reasonable adjustments so that attendees had a clearer understanding. He also shared examples of ways the PDA has previously supported disabled members to secure the reasonable adjustments that they are entitled to, such as the provision of a chair, lighting alteration, and working pattern changes. Mark then discussed tactics that are used by some employers to refuse adjustments and advised members to get specialist advice from the PDA as soon as possible, keep a diary of incidents, inform their employer of their disability, and request reasonable adjustments and a disability passport.
There was a short Q&A session at the end of the event, where Mark offered advice and pointed members to helpful resources. For specific and detailed advice, the PDA encourages members to contact the PDA Member Support Centre, especially if they are struggling to secure the reasonable adjustments they need or are facing disability discrimination in the workplace.
Member feedback
PDA Ability Network member, Daniela Rusalim, who attended the event said, “I recently attended a lunchtime event that introduced the ‘Standing up to Sitting Down campaign’.
It was highlighted that the PDA not only raises awareness about discrimination but also, through its status as a union, takes decisive and clear action to fight it. This includes taking cases to employment tribunals, providing legal advice and representation for members in formal meetings, and sending Health and Safety Representatives to inspect the workplaces of employers where there is trade union recognition.
The event was well attended and impactful and I look forward to further initiatives.”
Get involved
All pharmacists are encouraged to participate in the ‘Standing Up for Sitting Down’ campaign by:
- Having conversations with colleagues about disability and reasonable adjustments
- Talking to your employer about reasonable adjustments
- Promoting the PDA Ability Network and this campaign on social media
- Sharing examples of good practice with the PDA
Opening this line of dialogue helps to normalise reasonable adjustments in the workplace and encourages employers to act swiftly and appropriately to support their workers.
Learn more
- Your rights under the Equality Act 2010
- It’s Time to Address Discrimination: Standing up for Sitting Down
- PDA Ability Network releases initial findings from the disability discrimination survey
- PDA Ability Network produces factsheet supporting those accessing reasonable adjustments
- The Equality Act 2010
- PDA Member Support Centre
- Guide to: Discrimination in the Workplace
- ‘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.