Small firms must ensure that they do not discriminate against staff who have disabled family members or friends, one expert has warned.

Brendan Barber, general secretary of the Trades Union Congress (TUC), explains that a recent ruling by the European court of justice (ECJ) means that disability discrimination laws cover carers and "anyone associated with disabled people".

Yesterday, the ECJ ruled that British mum Sharon Coleman was discriminated against by her employer because of her disabled son.

Mr Barber said: "Employers now need to look at their recruitment and other workplace policies to make sure they are not discriminating against staff who have disabled family members or friends."

The government should now use the planned equalities bill to include legislation that makes such discrimination unlawful in UK law, he added.

Recently, Martin Smith, executive director of Croner, stated that ensuring managers are trained on issues relating to equality and diversity can help avoid costly staff disputes.

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