Anybody Ever Lied To Get A Job..? - Lung Conditions C...

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Anybody Ever Lied To Get A Job..?

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13 years ago•11 Replies

Am seriously thinking of changing jobs before end of the year..Although i like my job,as its physical and outside,i find the winters working outdoors really do affect me,although i can breathe better when its cooler..Its been 2 and half years now,and i have had a few injurys, eg. snapped my tendon inside my calf that runs down to your achilles..Also have hurt my neck,lower back which i couldnt turn my head to the left for nearly a week..

Anyways,i see a job i really fancy,its indoors and totally the opposite of what i do..Looking through the form is the health part..Now i dont mind putting Asthmatic,as they may see me take Ventolin now and again so would get caught out,but should i keep quiet about Copd esp as i am at the early stages..?

Am thinking if am honest,i wont get the job,as they be thinking, ooh he probably be off sick all the time so don"t employ him..Which i am not a sicky person,even went to work with a chest infection,although i felt like death for weeks..Should i lie or be honest..? Anybody told a little lie to get a job...?

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Ventolin

11 Replies

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13 years ago

I have asked myself this question so many times...................but mine is more COULD i lie ?

I am not looking for another job as i am lucky enough to enjoy what i do and my company have moved me from the physical job i used to do to an office job, but i have been off work for so long now i am scared i will be medically retired.

I like going to work and will do for as long as i can , so if i am medically retired i will apply for another job the problem i have is i can't lie!!!! if i tell a lie i might as well have a dirty great neon sign above my head - but if i tell the truth i will not get the job because, as you say, i will need time off sick

I'm the same with wind ups - i can do it over the phone but not face to face - i just smile giving the game away!.

13 years ago

Cheers Krazylady..I could lie as its on their own app form..My thinking is it may take a few years for my symptoms to worsen i hope,so if they did i could just make out i was getting breathless so went too see the nurse etc etc and this is what i "just" been told...I know its a lie but how else am i going to improve my job prospects and get a better life without doing so.. Just a pain in the bum feeling i have to do so just to escape the dilemma..

• in reply to13 years ago

...another aspect of this is that many people in the last few generations worked their whole adult lives with copd - they just didn't know they had it. Exacerbations would have just been called 'bronchitis' , 'flu' or 'pneumonia'. Also huge numbers of people now diagnosed with it - even right now today as we sit here - do not realise that there can be progression. As far as they are concerned they are 'chesty' and the doc has given them an inhaler or two to help there wheezes.

13 years ago

To be honest I don't see any need to mention it if you are in the earlier stages and know you can cope with the job. I worked until I was v.severe. You could say that you have it and just include that it is only mild or moderate - whatever stage you may be. Most people have never heard of it anyway, so if or when they ask about it just be honest - it is a bad chest , you may need to take your inhaler from time to time. Even a doctor cannot predict if or how much you will ever progress, so you cannot be expected to give any medical forecast about it and that aspect of it is none of their business anyway.

All your prospective employer wants to know is that you are fit enough to do the job and won't be taking excessive amounts of time off. Even a chest infection isn't a sin - many 'healthy' people take time off, particularly in winter with 'flu etc. I bet if you questioned everyone wherever you have worked in past years, there will be those with diabetes, epilepsy and all sorts of problems. Few people get through adulthood without acquiring some health problem or other. So, think positive, be positive and give it a chance. They will see anyway that you are currently strong and healthy enough to have been doing outdoor work! You have nothing to lose P.

bigbrother13 years ago

Have you considered becoming a politician ?

Jo_BLFHelplineBritish Lung Foundation13 years ago

Hi Scottyboy

After reading your blog i decided to call ACAS to ask about employment issues, (confidentially of course), they advised that generally an employer should not need to ask an applicant if they have any illnesses - the only reason would be if an employer may need to make adjustments to make the job accessible for the employee.

It is not advisable to lie as this could make any contract invalid through a question of tust. The adviser i spoke to also mentioned if the condition would have an impact on the type of job.

Basically the employer has to be 'objectively justified' to ask about illnessess/disabilities.

ACAS can be contacted on 08457 47 47 47 for more specific employment advice.

I hope this makes things a bit clearer.

Best Wishes

• in reply toJo_BLFHelpline13 years ago

thats brilliant scottyboy. I am faced with the thought of having to lie to get a job too. I do know though that if you do and the employer finds out then your contract would be invalid.

• in reply to13 years ago

Sorry i meant jo x doh

13 years ago

I cant say whether you should lie scottyboy but the fact is you know you have the illness and if the employer finds out and could prove this then your employment contract would be invalid. But I think your previous references would prove you are a reliable worker and dont take time off sick so maybe you should reply on those instead. Good luck with what you decide. x

13 years ago

Thanks for the above answers....

The form was a general health form thats asks what illness i have and you have to tick the box and also write in the blank box any other illness not mentioned above...

I decided that i would leave this blank as i am at the first stage of Copd but i am Asthmatic so ticked that box..And as Parvati wrote that it dosent affect me and also Hypercat says my current employer would give me an excellent reference so i should be ok...

Its only 1 small white lie and am fit and healthy (touch wood) so far...The things you have to do hey...x

Wiggins13 years ago

I've been insulin dependant for about 17 years and every time I have applied for another job I receive nothing back, that could be just ignorance on behalf of the employers. However I have a couple of times omitted that I am diabetic and I have received interviews. Now I have COPD and I'll be 50 next month I'm thinking my chances of changing jobs will be quite slim.