Combatting Disability Harassment at Work: Human Rights in Practice

This book examines the legal measures to combat disability harassment at work, highlighting the lack of attention given to this issue compared to sexual and racial harassment. It explores the human rights and legal framework, evaluates the Irish legal framework in practice, and discusses the barriers to effective legal solutions.

Format: Hardback
Length: 204 pages
Publication date: 22 September 2022
Publisher: Bristol University Press

Persons with disabilities worldwide face significant levels of harassment, often rooted in intersecting characteristics such as race, gender, and age. While the '#MeToo' and '#BlackLivesMatter' movements have brought attention to ongoing experiences of sexual and racial harassment, disability harassment has received relatively limited attention. This book specifically focuses on legal measures to combat disability harassment in the workplace. It contextualizes disability harassment within the broader framework of human rights, examines the scarcity of empirical information, and evaluates the Irish legal framework in practice. It explores the potential of the law to address intersectional harassment, particularly the experiences of women with disabilities, and identifies the barriers to effective legal solutions.

Disability harassment is a pervasive issue that affects individuals with various disabilities across the globe. It manifests in various forms, including verbal abuse, physical assault, discrimination, and exclusion from social and professional spaces. This harassment not only violates the fundamental rights of individuals with disabilities but also has detrimental effects on their physical and mental well-being.

One of the primary drivers of disability harassment is the lack of awareness and understanding about the experiences of people with disabilities. Many people view disabilities as a burden or a source of shame, which leads to negative attitudes and stereotypes. This ignorance and prejudice can manifest in various ways, including discrimination in the workplace, social exclusion, and denial of access to basic services and opportunities.

Another factor contributing to disability harassment is the absence of effective legal protections and remedies. Many countries have laws in place to protect individuals from discrimination, but these laws often do not address disability harassment specifically. As a result, individuals with disabilities who experience harassment may face few legal options for recourse and may feel powerless to protect themselves.

Furthermore, intersectionality plays a significant role in disability harassment. Women with disabilities, in particular, face multiple forms of discrimination and harassment, including sexual harassment, gender-based violence, and social exclusion. They often face barriers to accessing legal and social services, and their experiences are often ignored or marginalized by mainstream society.

To combat disability harassment, there are several legal measures that can be taken. These include the implementation of anti-discrimination laws that explicitly protect individuals with disabilities from harassment. These laws should include provisions that address intersecting forms of discrimination, such as gender-based violence and sexual harassment.

In addition, employers should take proactive measures to prevent disability harassment in the workplace. This includes providing training to employees on disability awareness and sensitivity, implementing policies and procedures to prevent discrimination and harassment, and providing support to employees who experience harassment.

Legal remedies should also be available to individuals who experience disability harassment. This includes the right to file a complaint with a local or national human rights commission or other legal body, and to seek compensation for damages such as physical injury, emotional distress, and lost wages.

Furthermore, social and cultural change is essential in combating disability harassment. This includes promoting awareness and understanding about the experiences of people with disabilities, challenging negative attitudes and stereotypes, and promoting inclusive and accessible communities for all individuals.

In conclusion, disability harassment is a pervasive issue that affects individuals with various disabilities worldwide. It is driven by lack of awareness, understanding, and effective legal protections and remedies. To combat disability harassment, legal measures, employer measures, social and cultural change, and international cooperation are all necessary. By working together, we can create a world where individuals with disabilities are respected, valued, and protected from harassment and discrimination.

Dimension: 203 x 127 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781529223781