I have a question for people, see what everyone’s experience is. This is particularly relevant to those who can’t drive either due to their MS or another disability. But if you have any relevant experience or an opinion, do share.
So, I cannot drive, not actually because of my MS, but because of epilepsy. I have a masters degree from a russell group university, but on applying for jobs I have been hitting a massive brick wall because I’d say a minimum of 70% of them ask me if I’m a driver and rule me out if I’m not. This, unless it is ABSOLUTELY necessary to the job, is not legal. But although in theory you can take them to an employment tribunal for this, I know no way of proving that you were actually genuinely going to apply for the job (which is what you’d need to do), plus this is a systemic problem across multiply companies, and you can’t take them all to court. So this has left me doing 2 minimum wage jobs, one full time and one ad hoc part time, working between 40 - 60 hours a week, between 5 - 7 days a week, just to make ends meet. Not great with MS (and multiple other disabilities). Well this is my experience of the jobs market. And I was wondering if anyone else has come up against the same kind of problems? Thanks,
That’s an interesting one and a good question. As you say, hard to prove. My (uninformed) guess is that some companies will be using ‘has current driver’s licence’ as a rough and ready gumption filter - i.e the kind of people they’re looking to appoint are more likely than average to have had the gumption to obtain one! All well and good until that turns out to unfairly disadvantage a protected group.
You are still protected by the EU laws on human rights which Britain is still part of no matter what you are told by others.
This illness MS gives you very particular protections the Supreme Court has rules on many years ago. Only one of three. Your consultants depending on how good they are to you will help you navigate discrimination on equality rights alone My Respiratory Consultant brought out the books to me on the law. She was going to use them on my own employer, my brother in law.
OMG That would have been fun where I told her wow you can’t force him to do something she prescribed me with. Now don’t laugh “nap time”.
yeah you’ve read that right my prescribed nap times she was going to use he full law on him and said I would resign before she would. She had the decency to ring next day and apologise if I felt I was been pressured isn’t something that a consultant is willing to admit was a terrible experience for me in her room And I get in great with her even still today.
Although illness after Covid robbed me of that little independent life, your very lucky to be so qualified!
Don’t worry because employers can get help for getting disabled people into work with allowances to make necessary adjustments for you many are willing to do today.
You might have an illness but it doesn’t stop you getting on in life, and I commend you on wanting to do that step into work.
MS is protected by law which means employers need to be carful screening you for interviews say over zoom or teams etc. many employers want the best people and many of those have disabilities. Some employers themselves also may be disabled or have family like that.
So never hold back because if you feel you weee not treated right tribunals will question and fine employers.
Indiscriminate action against those of us less mobile than other’s, dependent on how we are on a certain day can change you don’t have to mention your illness but many employers embrace those openly saying what is wrong with them.
If you are in a job no one can complain about you if you’re having a bad moment under disability laws you also must remember.
Hi @Comet . Sorry if this isn’t what you wanted to head but I suppose I am wondering if a) you are really thinking of challenging such employers and b) how do you know that you would be ruled out if you were to apply? Do the job details actually say that non drivers should not apply or that applicants should be able to drive and do the job details make clear that absolutely no driving is required to fulfil the tasks and responsibilities of the job. Without written evidence to support any wrongful discrimination any challenge could be very long and very expensive
Hi, yes, I’m mid challenging this via my MP. And yes, these jobs specify that you MUST be a driver - you have to complete application forms for the sort of jobs I’m talking about, and on the first page which generally screens for your eligibility, it will ask if you drive or not. And when you say not, it rules you out. And no, these are office based jobs, you do not need to drive.
Well good luck, I’m away past retirement age but I’m sure that there are many who will be really interested in hearing the outcome of the investigations and work with your MP.
The MS Society and MS Trust might be useful sources of information and advice ?
This is an interesting thread.In the last 3 years I’ve been medically discharged from my career on medical grounds and, 1 crappy job took me down the OH route and let me go. Another job(that I really did like) let me go (sacked me) when I told them about my conditions after they asked.
I have declared those conditions on other applications after being advised to. This always seems to result in a pleasant but carefully worded rejection email. PIP and UC are ok - they keep my head above water for now but, I’m just not cut out to spend the rest of my days on benefits so, I’m currently thinking on whether to just say nothing and do my best to just wing it if I do find a job or get my thinking cap on and start my own thing somehow
More consideration needed I think.
Good luck with your endeavour - I hope it works out well for you x
Yes the capitalist society we live in is totally geared away from employing disabled workers as it doesn’t make the most monetary sense. In the letter I wrote I proposed that businesses get a tax cut for employing disabled workers (a carrot) to make it economically viable, even advantageous. But who knows what they’ll say.
Hi Comet, I think that’s a great idea and, I’d happily support it
I’ve just read back over the thread - there’s often parts that I miss or forget easily on first pass now - sorry.
I also don’t drive because of epilepsy and, being partially sighted now. I took myself off the road around 3 years ago when I knew my vision was bad. The epilepsy and MS were diagnosed later. I’ve never told the DVLA because they’re such a nightmare to deal with and, they’re just not having my licence - I have accepted that I can no longer drive.
But, that still leaves me with ways that I can be of use.
… You’re more well educated than me. I’m just grateful that for now I still have my physical attributes and determination.
There’s a group somewhere round here called IPS - it looks like they kind of work with the NHS to help certain groups of people to find and stay in work. I’ve been thinking about making a self refferal to them
I know some companies have the Disability Confident accreditation but, the cynic in me wonders if that’s just a nice badge to make them look good on their website
I do like your cause and, am now considering going at my local MP from the same angle
That’s fantastic that you’re thinking of getting behind this. The more voices there are, the better the chase to make a change. I can give you the details of the minister in parliament that I’ve written to and you could send letters to both your local MP and him if you felt like it.
I’m also thinking of organising a march if I don’t get a positive result from the minister, though I may try media routes first. But again anyone interested, it’d be great to know and if it does go down that path, if people could publicise.
As for the ‘disability confident’ - what a joke. It is just a piece of paper. I’ve interviewed and worked for such companies (the NHS is one of the worst). There’s nothing disability friendly or confident about them.
I’ve no idea of the extent to which the issue of employing disabled people crosses over with the Milburn review of young NEETs including those who are disabled in one way or another but time will tell. A massive, complex and politically sensitive issue ( ‘disability’ covering such a wide range of mental and physical conditions)
If you are interested here is a link to the interim report on young people not in education,employment or training. Not sure when the final report with recommendations will appear but the whole thing includes issues to do with health, disabilities and getting into employment. Issues that might / will resonate with MS wanting to get into work
x
- what a joke. It is just a piece of paper. I’ve interviewed and worked for such companies (the NHS is one of the worst). There’s nothing disability friendly or confident about them.