I’m currently job hunting (hence the anonymous post) and have registered with nhs jobs. Their application forms have a section which gives you the option to disclose if you have a long term health condition. There’s also the “Guaranteed Interview Scheme” where you can indicate if you have a disability and providing you meet the job spec you are guaranteed an interview. Now, I don’t consider myself disabled as I’m currently in remission but I’m in a dilemma about whether to tick this section - is ms considered a disability even if you are only mildly affected?
Hi,
As far as workplace legislation is concerned, MS is a disability from the moment of diagnosis - however badly you are affected - or hardly at all. This prevents discrimination on the basis that someone is “bound to get worse”, when their current condition probably wouldn’t otherwise have supported a claim of disability discrimination.
However, although you are entitled for it to be recognized as a disability from the start, this does not mean you are obliged to declare it. Personally, I would have thought there’s no disadvantage in ticking the box for the guaranteed interview scheme. Some people would give their eye teeth to get an interview, so if you have some personal characteristic that would guarantee you got one, it seems daft not to mention it. I don’t think, by ticking, you are certifying you’re going to turn up in a wheelchair, or anything like that, so there shouldn’t be any debate about whether it’s “appropriate” for you to have ticked the box. It’s a disability recognized by law, so you can tick it if you want to.
Much the same goes for the rest. By asking: “Do you consider yourself…?”, they’re really leaving it up to you. They’re not saying you have to disclose it. But if they seem like the kind of employer that’s very proactive about equal opportunities, and wants to support disabled employees and applicants, you might feel it would be helpful if they knew. I wouldn’t volunteer it if there’s NO question, but I’d consider it if there is. It depends why they’re asking, and whether you trust that it’s only for monitoring purposes, or to help you. Often, that form does not go directly to the person hiring, but only to HR, who are responsible for the company’s disability policies.
Tina
Thanks Tina. Having looked at the application in more detail it says that only HR will know about any medical condition, so you’re spot on there. I’m going to declare it and tick the box, worth it if it guarantees an interview - I’ve applied for other jobs recently and had no response at all so it would be great to get my foot in the door! After all, if the hospital can’t be understanding then who can??
I’m glad you’ve decided to tick the box anon. I used to work for the NHS and always found them supportive. Good luck with the interview xxx
Thank you so much, it’s only 3 days a week, 6 hours a day, perfect! 
Hi, I don’t want to throw a dampner on things, but my recent personal experience of having an interview at an NHS Hospital that I won’t name publicly, was absolutely appauling. Disability Discrimination at it’s worse and they display the two ticks sign. Previously I had heard from a fellow MSer about Discrimination at this place. Needless to say, I took legal advice to find out where I stand and wrote a letter of complaint to the Chairman! Best of luck with your job application. I definately will not be ticking the ‘disability box’ again for any job applications - I wait till I get an interview on my CV’s merit and then I call them and out of courtesy let them know about the MS as it’s unhidable for me.
Hi, I don’t want to throw a dampner on things, but my recent personal experience of having an interview at an NHS Hospital that I won’t name publicly, was absolutely appauling. Disability Discrimination at it’s worse and they display the two ticks sign. Previously I had heard from a fellow MSer about Discrimination at this place. Needless to say, I took legal advice to find out where I stand and wrote a letter of complaint to the Chairman! Best of luck with your job application. I definately will not be ticking the ‘disability box’ again for any job applications - I wait till I get an interview on my CV’s merit and then I call them and out of courtesy let them know about the MS as it’s unhidable for me.
This is obviously an isolated problem at this hospital and of course needs addressing. I’ve worked in more then one trust and never had a problem with support.