The Department recognises that chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis is a real and potentially debilitating condition that can affect individuals' capability for work and their chances of finding and retaining employment. However, our work to engage and support employers and tackle discrimination is not focused on specific conditions but looks at health conditions and disabilities in the round.
DWP has, in recent years, run a number of campaigns aimed at raising the general awareness of disability issues among employers and is currently developing an employer-led campaign to better engage employers with the recruitment and retention of disabled people. The campaign will address issues at both corporate and local delivery levels. It will also seek to influence the attitudes and behaviour of expert advisers and job market intermediaries.
Meanwhile, changing employer perceptions on health problems has been identified as a key priority for the cross-government Health, Work and Well-being Strategy. The strategy's National Stakeholder Council, which comprises senior members of key stakeholder groups such as the Confederation of British Industry, Federation of Small Businesses, Trades Union Congress and Association of British Insurers, has decided that one of its four areas of focus will be on "engaging employers as leading advocates of change".