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Disabled Employee Network (DEN)

Around 40% of the workforce have some form of impairment – some lesser and others higher – which can impact on their working and personal lives. The social model of disability sees the person first and argues that the barriers people face, in combination with their impairments, are what disables them.

The Disabled Employee Network (DEN) welcomes any member of NHS Lothian staff who identifies as disabled, neurodivergent, or with a long-term health condition. You don’t need a formal diagnosis, and you don’t need to disclose your condition to your line manager or to other DEN members.

What counts as disability

The aim of DEN is to encourage contact, support and friendship among members of staff who self identify as having an impairment or disability, bringing together diverse staff from across NHS Lothian into an environment where issues of disability can be discussed in confidence and where advice and information can be sought. DEN will raise the profile of disability in NHS Lothian in a staff centred way. DEN will research best practice on workplace disability and will gather members’ experiences to better inform NHS Lothian on how best practice can benefit organisational goals and foster good employee relations.

Meetings

All meetings take place over Teams. Contact us if you would like to receive the Teams invitation.

Next meeting:

Our next meeting is Thursday 18th April, 12.30-13.30. 

Future meetings: 

• Thursday 30th May, 18.00-19.00
• Thursday 20th June, 12.30-13.30
• Thursday 25th July, 18.00-19.00
• Thursday 22nd August, 12.30-13.30
• Thursday 26th September, 18.00-19.00
• Thursday 24th October, 12.30-13.30
• Thursday 28th November, 18.00-19.00