income support and going back to work. Help Needed

pathilluk

Hi, i was wondering if you can help me out, i finished university in 2006, and i havent been working as i have been quite ill. at this moment i am claiming income support, and now i am looking into getting back to work. i have been applying for a while now, without any success, and i am thinking that this is because of the big gap in my employment history (which is over two years now). ive had a couple of interviews but after explaining 'the big gap' i dont think they were too impressed.

i Know a family friend who has a shop (newsagents), and he suggested i put his business down for my present employment. so heres the biq question: could i get away with this? will my new employer know that i have been on income support?

i have worked in a shop before, so i know all the ins and outs, but i am just so stuck now, i really want to get back into work, but cant even get an interview for admin and secretarial jobs, let alone any graduate job.

any help would be great, thanks.

livelyred

I am coming off income support shortly as i have to look for 16 hrs work which i have found in my local hospital,i dont think they will find out they will ask for references normally 2 and they will either send these by email or post,they just ask the normal questions about sick days youve had off, if your hard working,works good in a team etc.

pathilluk

thanks livelyred. its just so difficult, but i dont wanna get caught out..

trishaa

hmm, thats a tricky question, but i can understand how difficult it is, even with no gap in ur employement history.

good luck

jobbingmusician

They are likely to know, as your p45 will have your last employer listed, surely?

Employers refusing to employ you because you have been ill might be classified as disability discrimination - can you tell us any more about your illness?

pathilluk

yes thats what i thought, but wasnt to sure, i have an illness called lupus.

its just difficult getting an interview with a two year employment gap.