Employers should ensure they have sufficient legal expenses insurance to cover potential disability discrimination claims, according to Allianz Cornhill.
The insurer has noted that the average disability discrimination compensation award in 2006 was £19,360, in the wake of the legislative change late last year that extended the law to encompass cancer, HIV and multiple sclerosis.
David Vine, business development manager at Allianz Cornhill Legal Protection, said: "It seems that nowadays most people know someone who's suffered from cancer, and with it now being considered a disability, employers should be aware of their staff's views so as to minimise any chance of discrimination complaint.
"Unless a company has in-house legal expertise it can be very expensive to ensure compliance with the broad range of issues that fall under the Disability Discrimination Act. This can place considerable strain on the resources of smaller businesses."
