Many business owners and managers of small businesses are not aware of the legislation relating to Disability Discrimination. As well as the possibility of an employee making a claim for unfair dismissal if they have over one year's continuous employment, there is also now an added risk to the employer of an employee being able to pursue an action under the Disability Discrimination Act 1995.

This does not require any length of service by an employee but only applies to employers with 15 or more employees (including all full-time, part-time, permanent, as well as temporary and contract workers).

This legislation will be revised in October 2004 when the level of 15 employees will be reduced to Zero.