WorkWAYSPromoting mental health through learning and work

 

What do I tell them?

 

"What do I tell them about my mental health problem?" is probably the most frequently asked question asked by people filling in application forms or preparing for interviews.

Whether applying for a job, a college place or voluntary work, knowing what to say or whether to say anything at all is always a difficult area. Fear of the reaction such disclosure may receive is also an important contributory factor but it's also important to avoid generalisations about how employers or others will react. Some people report incidents of immediate loss of interest but not disclosing can result in problems later on. For others it opens up the scenario to put the right support in place and people's experience of mental ill health can be a very positive attribute to offer a potential employer, college or voluntary work organisation.

The former Disability Rights Commission, now part of the Equality & Human Rights Commission offer this advice in relation to employment:

'An employee is not legally obliged to declare a disability to an employer or prospective employer. Naturally people will be reluctant to disclose their disability to a prospective employer fearing this will result in the failure of their job application. However, disclosure can help to alert employers to a person’s particular needs and thereby facilitate the provision of reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, which otherwise may not be provided due to the prospective employer’s lack of knowledge of disability. If a prospective employer is not aware of a job applicant’s disability they may have a defence to a claim of failure to make reasonable adjustments.'

'The DDA does not prevent employers from asking you for information about your health or disability but they  must not use it to discriminate against you. If all job applicants are asked for the same information and this information is, or may be, relevant to the ability to do the job (after a reasonable adjustment), this would not be discriminatory. Asking about the effects of your disability might also be important in helping your employer to decide what adjustments ought to be made.'
 

'It is up to you whether you wish to tell your employer about your disability. However, if your disability actually affects your way of working, you should talk to your employer and to your colleagues about it if you want a reasonable adjustment to be considered.'


'If your employer doesn’t know that you are disabled, your employer may not have to make changes which would help you. However, if, for example, your condition gets worse (e.g. asthma) and you feel you may need a reasonable adjustment, you can change your mind and tell your employer at a later date. From that time onwards your employer may have to take some action.'
 

There's more information about the Disability Discrimination Act and reasonable adjustments on this site.

There is no clear cut, categorical answer to this very common question but do please feel able to contact us to offer your thoughts and we will be happy to discuss it with you.

 

Promoting mental health through learning and work