The Punch position: Disability

We are committed to ensuring we don’t discriminate against disability and our employment and workplace policies are aligned to the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA).

Within our pub estate, Punch believes that running a public house is all about providing licensees with first class service and a memorable experience and this includes welcoming those customers with a disability.  Since the Disability Discrimination Act came into force in 2004, we have conducted a thorough review of our managed house estate and have a rolling programme to ensure that our premises meet the requirements of the Act.  In our tenanted and leased estate we have worked with our licensees to ensure they are aware of the implications of the Act for which they need to be compliant.  In partnership with our licensees, we invest in around 500 refurbishment projects each year and in many cases this includes upgrading facilities so the needs of customers with disabilities are met.

Apart from the infrastructure, we believe it’s important to focus on training our licensees and Spirit employees to make sure everyone feels welcome in our pubs and outlets, whatever their physical or mental ability.  We have therefore included elements of Disability Discrimination in our award winning training programmes.

Although we are not able to specify the number of people with disabilities that we employ, as a company we have a strict policy of non discrimination on grounds of race, gender and disability and seek to identify any disability in pre-employment medical questions.