The Role of Social Partners in facilitating reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities at the workplace

The Role of Social Partners in facilitating reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities at the workplace

A new Eurofound Working Paper published on 30 September 2026, The role of social partners in facilitating reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities at the workplace, highlights a persistent gap between the legal right to reasonable accommodation and its practical implementation across Europe. While EU legislation has required employers to provide reasonable accommodation for more than 25 years, many workers with disabilities still do not receive the support they need to access, remain in, or progress in employment. 

Despite these legal protections, implementation remains uneven. According to recent Eurofound data, a significant proportion of workers with long-standing health conditions still report unmet accommodation needs or only partial accommodations. Awareness also remains low among both employers and employees, and many employers are unaware of available public funding and support schemes.

The paper identifies several barriers, including limited employer knowledge of disability and accommodation options, administrative complexity in accessing financial support, difficulties accommodating people with psychosocial or intellectual disabilities, and reluctance by some workers to disclose disabilities due to fear of stigma.

Importantly, the report highlights the growing role of social partners in addressing these challenges. Trade unions and employers’ organisations are increasingly providing training, awareness-raising activities, guidance materials and peer-learning opportunities. Examples from across Europe include disability-focused bargaining initiatives, accommodation “passports” that allow agreed workplace adjustments to follow employees across roles, mentoring programmes, neurodiversity toolkits and collaborative projects with organisations representing persons with disabilities.

The report concludes that while the legal framework for reasonable accommodation is well established, stronger partnerships between employers, workers, social partners and disability organisations will be essential to turn rights into reality. 

Eurofound Working Paper “The role of social partners in facilitating reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities in the workplace” available here.