Finding a job ater illness

DieHard

I have been off work for six months following a bout of depression. I am now looking to re-enter the job market. Has anyone else been off work for any period off time following depression? If so can you pass on any tips with regards to job hunting?

Is it difficult to find a job and do employers discriminate against this type of illness? If they do how have people found a way to get round this problem?

seven-day-weekend

My husband had two years out of teaching due to a nervous breakdown. When he felt well enough to go back, he went for an interview. He was upfront about his breakdown and when asked 'how do I know it's not going to happen again' by the head, his reply was, 'you don't, but you don't know that about anyone'. The head thought this was a fair point and gave him the job, he was there for ten years until he retired in 2004 following a severe bout of depression.

However, I think there is discrimaination out there. I personally would not tell them unless they asked, but if they do ask, just be as honest as you can .

Can the Jobcentre help you in any way at all?

Good luck with your job-hunting!

Loop

I have manic Depression and generally I dont tell people, I am quite well, but not working currently, as soon as I have mentioned it to people they see you as some sort of problem, and view you differently, even friends and relatives can too!

Dont tell them unless asked and then when you do tell try to skim over it without going into detail, the main point is your well NOW!

Good Luck

Lou xx

beca

DieHard wrote:

I have been off work for six months following a bout of depression. I am now looking to re-enter the job market. Has anyone else been off work for any period off time following depression? If so can you pass on any tips with regards to job hunting?

Is it difficult to find a job and do employers discriminate against this type of illness? If they do how have people found a way to get round this problem?

my husband had a sort of break down but chose not to disclose it when looking for a new job. Obviously, if they had chosen to contact his doctor then they would have found out but we decided it was a risk worth taking at the time. Unfortunately there is some discrimination against mental illness (although I hate calling it this - I strongly feel it is actually a physical illness as it is a problem with seratonin (is that how you spell it) levels in the brain). It is very unfair as you can recover fully from such an illness and should not be judged because you have suffered from it.

I do hope your husband finds something. My husband is fine now and has been working in a job he enjoys without any problems for quite a few years now. Good luck.

seven-day-weekend

There are employment laws making it illegal to discriminate against peole with physical disabilities now , providing they are capable of doing their job , this should also be extended to mental health problems.

But at the moment, unfortunately, there is discrimination.

singlehouseholder

I was off for a year with depression/self harming after a very very bad relationship breakdown. Felt like no one would look at me with my record, but,someone did give me a chance to prove myself, I got a temp job, which turned into a permanent job after 1 month, 4 years later and i'm still at same place..I mentionede my time off, but if asked, explained the situation and most seemed to understand. I'd say as long as you are honest and upfront, on your form, you have to be incase it reoccurs. Also, on a plus point, you may be able to tick the "disability box" on application forms- which I understand guarentees you a n interview. Good luck, there's something out there for everyone..

Astaroth

Temping would certainly be an easier route in as the employer doesnt have to pay you sick leave etc and can cease your employment without need to give any reasons and therefore it gives them a low risk route to employing you.

Any illness (rather than disability) is discriminated against - having people off sick costs companies billions a year and therefore taking on someone with a known history of an illness which is well known to be likely to reoccur (esp things like back pain and depression which are seen as easily "faked" too) is seen as high risk.

I would recommend that you do not lie at any point but look to not mention about your illness unless directly asked. This of cause is dependant on you having another reason for your period of unemployment.

Fleago

Apologies if you have already seen it Diehard, but you might find this thread helpful http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=210456

Fleago

mrsh_2

Firstly good luck with the jobhunting!

Contact your local Jobcentre Plus and ask to speak to the Specialist Incapacity Benefit Personal Adviser (SIBPA). You will be able to arrange an appointment with this adviser who will be able to point you in the right direction regarding CV, interview skills, jobsearching etc.

freebie_junkie

i dont suffer from depression, but i do have OCD and ive been off work for two years (but im starting a job this morning!) i got a lot of help from the disability adviser at teh job centre who has helped me in job searches and to apply for WTC (coz im not well enuff to work full time yet, just part time to start off), a job grant and stopping my other benefits. i also got help from shaw trust who are a national organisation who help disabled peopel back into work, they also help with job searches, help you communicate to employers what you are and arent able to do and tehy also offer a job grant for when you start work. lastly, i found in interviews be honest, if the interviewer has a problem, do you really want to work for that company anyway? the manager who interviewed me for tj hughes was really interested she asked me all about OCD and what the company could do to help me work there and teh next day i got a phone call with a job offer. good luck!

DieHard

Thank you for the very positive posts in this thread.