As I mentioned in my recap of my last down swing, I am applying for a new job. I applied for two posts, and so far have been offered an interview for one.
The process has raised the issue of how I deal with my health when dealing with employers.
When I was assessed by the Occupational Health team of my University, the report stated that I may be considered to be disabled under the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA). During certain periods I think that this would have been fair, including the point at which I saw Occupational Health. However, is it valid in the periods when I am feeling fine, or only mildly troubled by the depression? According to the guidance on the Direct.Gov website
People who have had a disability in the past that meets this definition are also
covered by the scope of the Act.
During the application process, this comes up at several points. In the initial application, there is an equal opportunities (EO) form collecting data concerning all of the the usual areas, gender, age, race, disability. This is almost always stated as being for EO monitoring only, and separated from the main application. Here, I have no hesitation in declaring myself disabled. Whilst I many doubt that definition, I won't have to defend myself over it, and it would only be a marginal exaggeration if not true.
All of the posts I have applied for are at my current institution. When offered an interview, a personal details form is sent. This asks for information about current salary, but also about your sick record and details of disability.
My sick record since October 2006 isn't very good. I have had three extended periods of being signed off and 27 days dotted here and there individually. The form asks for the number of days that I have had off due to sickness in the last two years, but to exclude those relating to a disability. the form also asks whether I have a disability that would have an effect upon my ability to perform the role, and if any adjustments would be required.
Writing this post has cleared my mind on one of these issues at least. The most difficult issue that I struggled with was whether or not to record all of my sick leave related to my depression. I think now I see that the answer is no. I think it is fair to say that in my worst periods, I do fall under the DDA. Thus, at those points I could be defined as disabled, and that sick leave can be left undeclared.
However, this still leaves the other questions. Do I have a disability that can effect my ability to perform in the role to a satisfactory level? Well, sometimes I am so bad that I am not in work, so yes. But in my better periods I can still feel unable to do certain tasks (telephones for example) because of my anxieties. Can adjustments be made? I am lucky that in my current post I have colleagues who are very understanding of my situation, and will take my phone calls for me. That isn't a permanent solution though. Of course, one of my aims in applying for new jobs is getting away from a role in which I am the first point of contact for a primarily customer service based office. Would my anxieties be as problematic if my job didn't involve those responsibilities?
Of course there is then the interview. 'Is there anything else that you would like to add or ask?'.
A few months ago I applied for, and was interviewed for a job. I didn't get it, but fortunately it was in a team that live in the same office as us. The manager of the team was able to give me detailed feedback in person, and I raised that issue (I hadn't mentioned my illness). By coincidence, the team was the University's EO office, so it was rather up the manager's street. She was certain that I shouldn't have mentioned anything at interview. I think I agree with her, but it still leaves me feeling guilty. I try to be as honest about things as possible, and this is a major part of my life, and can have a large impact on my suirroundings, including job performance and colleagues. It seems wrong not to be as up front about it as possible.
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3 comments:
I realise I’m a bit late coming to this, but I was looking through your blog after the comments you kindly left on mine, and I came across this post.
Depression is a particular kind of disability, in that there are periods when you are unaffected, periods when you are mildly affected but can still function at your job with some additional support (having someone answer your phone calls, for example), and periods of time when you are so severely affected you are unable to work. In light of that I think it would be reasonable to regard all of your time off work for depression as related to your disability, and so therefore not something you have to declare.
I don’t think you should mention your illness/ disability in a job interview, unless you are specifically asked about it. Even if you are asked you should put the best possible spin on it. As an interviewee your role is to sell yourself, by emphasising all the positive attributes you can bring to the job. It’s not up to you to emphasise the downsides, the people who are interviewing you will be looking for those for themselves. You shouldn’t lie, of course, but if you’ve declared your disability in the application form then you’re not lying.
Interesting blog, by the way. :o)
Thank you for popping by. I agree with you, but sometimes the little self-deprecating voice can nag away in some unusual places. And it can be irritating when it wins the support of my honest streak.
Oh well, the interview is over and the waiting has begun. If I am offered the post, then I can start worrying about my sick record, but not before.
Hi there, another latecomer!
I recently had the same dilemma. Do I 'come out' as disabled and risk being overlooked, or say nothing and put yourself at a disadvantage anyway? For the first time ever I applied as disabled, and it had no effect whatsoever. As it went, they literally ignored the 'disability' stuff and I am wading through the ensuing mess now.
You were right to go in as a disabled person. You have a genuine condition that sometimes affects the way in which you can do your job, but sometimes doesn't affect you at all, that doesn't mean you are less disadvantaged in the job market than someone who is affected all the time. There is a massive stigma attached to mental illness in a way that is not present with other disabilities, but that is why the law is there. To stop you being disadvantaged because of gaps on your CV or a less than perfect attendance record. It's not there as a badge that says "I demand special treatment NOW!" so don't feel guilty!
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