Hi all,
Any advise on what to put on a job application - it’s one of those dilemmas. Partner said I should say yes - everyone needs disabled people - I think i would prefer not to say and tell them at interview. (I have problems walking ) my MS will not effect how I could do the job. Thanks Jen x
Form says :-
Do you consider yourself as disabled, as defined by the Equality Act 2010? yes, no , prefer not to say
Just checked the Equality Act 2010 and Schedule 1, Part 1, section 6 (1) says :-
Certain medical conditions
6(1)Cancer, HIV infection and multiple sclerosis are each a disability.
Hi Pat,
Oh, hadn’t thought of that!
Just re read the forms and its for a Diversity Monitoring Form that will be anonynmous and separated from the application
form. It does say that they would be obliged if all sections could be filled in.
Separated but arrives in the same envelope, ha.
Think I’ll tick all the boxes as ‘prefer not to say’.
thanks Jen x
I think in 2010, cancer, hiv and multiple sclerosis sufferers were deemed to be disabled by law. But this is a personal issue. Do you want them to know without promoting what you can do, as opposed to what you can’t? Hard to judge it would be easy for them to read it rather than you telling them. I would think i’d put rather not say. Then tell them at the interview.
Goodluck with this chance, hope it allgoes well
Here is a different take on it, Jen:
In today’s job-seeking world there will be many applications for every post.
The first stage in shortlisting applicants is to screen most of them out.
The first read-through will take about 30 seconds per application and the screener is looking for reasons to select out, not to select in.
Unanswered questions can be a good way to select out, because it is a real fast way to do it.
A covering letter (if you are allowed to submit one) that is more than 1 page of A4 long is another way.
The firm can be truthful about the monitoring form not being part of the selection procedure - but can you take that chance?
You need to make it through the first cut, and get to the stage where your application is actually read.
At this point,your answers have to be what the firm is looking for - or you don’t get through the second cut.
Then it will be read carefully.
Yes, your partner is correct, most firms have a quota of “handicapped” to employ. A prospective plumber in a wheelchair will not get selected anyway - but needing a stick to walk is no problem for a data entry person.
What I would advise - this goes for any form - is to photocopy the form and fill the copy in in pencil. Get the words right before you get a pen out.
Good luck
Geoff
I know this is not as simple as I’m about to make out, we need money etc.
But…
If you’re trying to avoid admitting you have a disbility because you’re afraid you will be discriminated against, pretending you don’t to be employed by a company that doesn’t want you, won’t benefit you long term anyway.
Ideally, you just admit it, deal with the fact somebody will avoid you and understand that employer was never going to be a fair and reasonable employer had you worked for them anyway. Then go for the interviews you do get.
Because I can’t see how trying to hide the fact until you are employed is any less decietful than an employer discriminating against you in the application process. You both seem to be trying to screw each over.
Thanks everyone for your good advice.
Difficult decision. On paper I should get an interview. I’ve been thinking about it and as I am going to email my application thinkI will just send that and not the diversity form. Closing date is Friday at noon so have time to think.
Thanks again for your support.
Jen x
would ask the question , can I do it and if the answer is yes then go for it and I would not say at the interview. I have been daft enough to say i had MS and before you know the interview changes and they are not interested, and I have conducted loads of interviews in my time. so can sense when they are losing interest. Now fatique means I cannot take on anything full time, so just volunteer.
trish