Information about what you do and do not have to reveal when applying for jobs (in UK)

[AmyBadd]

This has come up in a few discussions. My husband is HR advisor and pointed me to this: healthunlocked.com/api/redi...

I hope it is useful to some of you.

[UnwelcomeVisitor]

Hello Amy,

Throughout my working life I have always thought that the wisest plan of action is to state the truth from the start, as and when a attack comes right out of the blue, your employer won't have been prepared of what do. Eg How do they deal with a sufferer of epilepsy and when to dial 999.

No don't state this on your application form to the Company, but do state this at your interview.

I dare say that you will get a lot of differing opinions.

[AmyBadd in reply to UnwelcomeVisitor]

Hi there. I have never stated it at an interview, but I do always let my boss and colleagues know as soon as I have been offered the job or on my first day. I try to have first aid information and emergency contact details by my desk. I agree with you about the safety aspects.

The reason for me posting this was to make people aware of their rights to not answer questions, if they don't want to. Of course people will have different opinions and preferences as to what they want to do, but I think some people are not aware of these laws. It is important if people feel strongly that they might be discriminated against or something.

[UnwelcomeVisitor in reply to AmyBadd]

Amy,

I take your point entirely. However, and correct if I am wrong, but does not state on the application form Do you suffer from any illness or disability and if so please state what is.

I am only trying to speak constructively in reply to your original question.

Regards

Richard

[AmyBadd in reply to UnwelcomeVisitor]

I think this question normally has the option "prefer not to disclose", or something of that kind. This question is (or should be) only asked to collect data on equal opportunities. There is a section about this in the document.

[AMH76]

That's great, very helpful. Thank you

[jules1973]

Personally the more u say the better it is companies ask for to make sure your safe when working no point in going to drive a forklift or drive when you no your going to be a risk to yourself and those around you thats just stupid so when asked say its for your own health

[AmyBadd in reply to jules1973]

Jules, I agree that if it is for a safety reason then that is fine, and it says so in the document, but there are still people out there who discriminate against those with disabilities. This might even be an unconscious thing.

Imagine there is an office job (no obvious risk for someone with epilepsy) and you and one other person seem like you would be perfect for the role. If they ask you about your medical history and they have never had anything more than a cold, they might well choose that person, consciously or unconsciously. Some people who don't know anyone with the condition think that everyone with epilepsy has only tonic clinic seizures and has these regularly. they might expect you to take a lot of days off work or something.

If you want to give them this information up front, that is up to you, but the point is there is no law saying that you do (even though a lot of people think there is), apart from in special circumstances (eg operating heavy machinery).

[jules1973 in reply to AmyBadd]

This is true everybody u meet when u tell them u have epilepsy they do think you have tonic clonic seizures where in my case u wouldnt even notice to those close to me cld tell in an instant

[AmyBadd in reply to jules1973]

I know. I used to have to tonic clonic seizures occasionally but I had absence seizures a lot. My family knew when I was having them but other people who didn't know me so well didn't realise. I myself would not realise it had happened, I would just all of a sudden be confused, and it could lead to embarrassing circumstances (not to mention the fact that I often lost control of my bladder too!)

[bigbird26]

Employers are not stupid. There intitled to an access to work grant for every disabled person they employ