So been for quite a few job interviews no luck

[KKay0709]

Hi So I have been for quite a few Job interviews and I haven’t had any success I’m not being big headed but I do think I would have got the jobs if I wasn’t being honest about my fibro and hyper mobility has anyone else had this or do you not tell them about you illness I really don’t know what to do any advise would be good 😊

[AllthatGlitters]

Hi in my experience I don’t tell employers about my illnesses. This comes from a past experience of being treated very badly by an employer, whereby I was discriminated against for having a disability & took them to court. I would always say keep quiet. I know there are nicer employers out there though and not everyone is mean however I do think people still judge 🤷‍♀️As you say you are sure you would have got the jobs if you weren’t so honest x

[Painny]

I’m really sorry to hear about your experience. These people are evil. I decided to apply for a few jobs a couple of years ago. In some applications I mentioned my disability and the descriptions but on the other half I did not disclose anything. So I was offered the interview by the employers who did not know anything about my disability but the other half did not offer any interviews at all. This proves that we are still stigmatised by employers even by those who claim to be charitable organisations.

I still believe they are losers not us but the law does not give us enough protection.

I hope you will be able to find a generous employer for work. Lots of big hugs 🤗

[desquinn Partner Volunteer FMAUK Trustee in reply to Painny]

"These people are evil" Sorry but judging people you do not know and have no experience of is exactly what the OPs post is potentially about. Its possible (sorry OP) that they felt there was a better candidate. Or they could have had some negative bias in play that unconsciously or consciously steered them away from selecting the OP. This is maybe ill judged and potentially falls foul of employment law possibly. But its a long long way away from "evil."

[Painny in reply to desquinn]

I know…it’s only my way of releasing tension as I’m extremely unwell from pain, fatigue….🤕🤒 sorry if I have offended you or anyone 🌛

[desquinn Partner Volunteer FMAUK Trustee in reply to Painny]

I figured as much and it takes a lot to offend me but still think its worth replying

In many things on the forum people are "guilty" of expressing a world view through their own eyes and it comes across as "that's what fibro is" and I will sometimes jump in to say no its not like that for everyone. This was just that

[Painny in reply to desquinn]

OK …it’s this and that 😸😹

[R-OD]

Hi sorry to hear this, in this day and age it should not happen. If they don’t ask I wouldn’t tell them until you are offered the Job but if they do ask I would suspect you you be in breach of contract. Think of a way to advise them of your disability in a positive way. Have you read the FMUK booklets for employer and employee? You could even take a copy with you at a potential employer. It is also important to ask for feedback from an unsuccessful application/interview this is vital for moving forward with the next application. You can then build on the information ready for the next one, if they highlight areas which require work on then you should be able to get help from a work coach and if the don’t give you a satisfactory reason why you could speak to ACAS hope this helps good luck

[Sally444]

Hi KKay. I wouldn't tell them. People can discriminate without even realising they are doing it. Try it without mentioning it and see if you get offered the jobs. Best of luck.

[desquinn Partner Volunteer FMAUK Trustee]

Sorry to hear of your experience and your suspicion may be correct. Not knowing the industry I do not know whether you should (ethically) be disclosing it or not.

However, with the current glut of candidates by all accounts I would not disclose it unless it is materially relevant. Employers when filtering candidates are evaluating lots of things and really want an easy life and you to make their life easier by being an easy and productive hire. Get your foot in the door and then see how you get on.

[KKay0709]

Thank you all for your replies I don’t want to be dishonest with my disability the jobs I am going for are only part time and I can do the work easily around my disability I understand that they go for the easiest and that is current state of affairs in applying for a job I am in such a low period at the moment I can’t get help from the government I can’t get a job my diagnosis’s are piling up like a bucket list and I feel so useless I do not like lying and want to get a job honestly I have asked for feedback and they say I did really well at the interview so it must be the disability side of things even trying to apply is a nightmare I am going to continue to try and get work and be honest I feel that it could bite me on my arse if I’m not and I get so anxious about lying WOW I’m so going on and on this year has been hell and it’s still not over yet. Thank you everyone for your replies 😞😊

[desquinn Partner Volunteer FMAUK Trustee in reply to KKay0709]

You do not need to disclose your condition but I agree with you. If you think it is blocking you then I would try an interview without disclosing it and then if you get the job then you can mention it.

Alternative track do some volunteering to "prove" you are able to do it to your employer.

[Midori]

I wouldn't bother to tell them unless it was something that could affect your work negatively.

Otherwise they don't need to know.

Cheers, Midori

[Arymretep]

I applaud you for even looking for a job with fibromyalgia , good luck to you👍 Thankfully I’m retired now,

unless it is going to affect your job I wouldn’t tell them

[Michelleswshopping]

They shouldn't be like that has the are discriminating with a disability card can't by law I'm worried to tell work I've got worse and have been told I have fibro I told them I might have but can't gi e much yet until I see my consultant . Keep trying with jobs hun . What are u looking for ?

[KKay0709]

Hi everyone so I’ve got a job yeah it’s at my local Tesco’s I do know that they have a few people working there with disabilities the interview was so different to the rest that I’ve had they even know that I have physio appointments I could tell that they gave me the job on my capabilities not my disability but I will tell you this the worst place to apply for is the CO-OP which surprised me so much in the first initial application they ask if your from a deprived back ground then they wanted me to disclose a lot of details about my disability over the phone even before being considered for an interview the whole process is very invasive and judgmental so conclusion is it’s very hard to get a job but keep going and you get there eventually. Thank you everyone for all your replies. 😊