Under the Equality Act 2010, the admittance and accommodation of assistance dogs could be a reasonable adjustment for disabled colleagues. The Company will give appropriate consideration to requests for dogs to be accommodated in the workplace. The Company will undertake an impartial and objective assessment of the suitability of an assistance dog to your role and workplace, seeking advice from assistance dog associations.
Assistance dogs support people with a wide range of disabilities, including those relating to visual, hearing or mobility impairments and conditions, for example epilepsy or autism. Assistance dogs trained by members of Assistance Dogs (UK) have formal identification tags and are allowed to accompany their owner at all times and in all places within the UK (unless there is a genuine health and safety risk).
A risk assessment will be conducted before the assistance dog accompanies you to work for the first time and regularly thereafter. This will be conducted by your line manager, in conjunction with you, to cover assistance dog-related aspects.
Medical emergency planning will take place between you and your line manager to cover procedures to be followed should you be taken ill while at work.
Emergency evacuation procedures will be established and practised for you and your assistance dog, with any new or revised considerations built into personal emergency evacuation plans.
Spending (toileting) requirements will be established in consultation with you, with advice from the facilities department. Spending arrangements may be on or off the company premises. Safe and appropriate access routes to the spending area should be wide enough to allow the dog and you to walk together to the area and meet accessibility standards. Disposal facilities will also be clarified and agreements made regarding who will be responsible for each stage of the disposal.
The responsibilities of you, your line manager and your colleagues should be clarified before the assistance dog accompanies you to work. The following are outline responsibilities for each group:
You:
Ensuring that the assistance dog meets all standards for training, health and grooming at all times (standards as set by the assistance dog association);
Applying appropriate control, praise and discipline to the dog as required;
Providing necessary equipment for the dog's wellbeing;
Managing spending breaks and water provision as required;
Being considerate of the needs of others in the presence of your assistance dog;
Ensuring that, while working, the dog wears a jacket, harness or tabard to indicate to the animal and to others that it is on duty.
Colleagues:
Taking instruction from you in relation to contact and approach to the animal.
Addressing you rather than the dog and limiting contact with, and distractions for, the animal;
Following the principles within this policy and raising concerns relating to its implementation, if required.
Line manager:
Providing a suitable and safe location for the assistance dog, close to your workstation if possible.
Facilitating toileting and other wellbeing breaks as required and generally providing a welcoming environment for you and your assistance dog;
Providing appropriate levels of time off for aspects such as dog training and veterinary visits and accommodating visits from assistance dog associations;
Communicating with all impacted colleagues ahead of the assistance dog's arrival, to help integrate the animal successfully and create an inclusive workplace culture. Care will be taken to respect your confidentiality needs, particularly if the disabilities or health conditions that the assistance dog supports are non-visible;
Ensuring that colleagues continue to fulfil their responsibilities.
