Guaranteed interview scheme

Employers who have signed up to the 'two ticks' (disability symbol) scheme guarantee disabled people an interview if they meet the minimum criteria for the job vacancy. The commitments are listed on Direct.gov.uk. They are not legally binding.

'Two ticks' Positive about disabled people - the scheme

Many employers, particularly larger or public sector employers (e.g. local authorities), have signed up to the scheme and display its logo. Employers who have signed up make various commitments, the most important of which is that they guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for a job vacancy. It is no excuse, for example, that there are other 'better applications'.

Employers should ensure that the minimum criteria are made available to applicants, and should avoid setting criteria which are not essential. There are further commitments about helping a disabled person stay in employment. The scheme uses the Equality Act definition of 'disability'.

See under Links below for detailed 'Essential' and 'Desirable' actions by employers who have signed up to the scheme.

Example: Civil Service

Many departments subscribe to the 'two ticks' scheme, and accordingly offer a Guaranteed Interview Scheme for disabled people. There is a A Practical Guide to Good Practice in the Recruitment of People with disabilities to the Civil Service on the Cabinet Office website.

Recent news article: Scandal of disabled civil servants' pay (Independent on Sunday), 7th Feb 2009. The Civil Service might say its recruitment practices are aiming to address such issues.

What if an employer fails to meet the commitments?

The 'two ticks' scheme is separate from the Equality Act. The scheme is not law, and you cannot take an employer to a tribunal for failing to meet their commitments under it (though see below EqA claim if scheme not applied for particular disabled person?). At the same time, meeting the 'two ticks' commitments does not mean that an employer has done enough to satisfy its legal obligations under the Equality Act.

If a disabled person wishes to lodge a formal complaint that an employer has broken its 'two ticks' commitments, this should be done through the Disability Employment adviser at the local Jobcentre Plus office. If this does not produce results, the person could approach their union, if they are a member of one. (Source: PCS Union link below)