Job application when disabled. Opinions please.

[Deleted User]

Hi
I'm posting for a family member whilst in some ways wish they would post themselves, but I've been asked to help with filling out an application form for a part time job. It seems to be the ideal starter position so far, although I know it's a long way to go and I understand not like normal applications.

Anyway we've been to building where the job is and checked it was suitable for him to access, my brother then wrote a letter explaining his in a wheelchair and by return got an application form to fill in - it's his first job application since being in the chair and after a dismissal from his long standing job which was more full time and in a totally different work space which would have been more manual but he spent 9 years doing his thing until the accident happened.

So I just wanted to gather opinions on the line that is on the application form of why did you leave your last job? Does he just put something like part time hours preferred? which is true as realistically he could never now achieve full time - or does he go with capability issues? I am aware the reference proposed by ex employer was date to and from along with his job title.

I'm a bit erry to start going with writing "wish to try a new career", in case it gets application rejected for all the wrong reasons.

Any help on this matter would be gratefully received.

Thank you.

elsien

What was the reason for his dismissal? Was it on capability grounds following his accident, or were there other reasons?

w06

Be honest.

If he left because he had an accident that meant he couldn't physically do the previous job, I'd put something along the lines of 'disability required career change' or similar.

[Deleted User]

Thank you. That sounds better then I got to.

Received GM dismissal just over a year after returning to work
So he isn't on jobseeker benefits and there is not much support

Company wanted 40 hours when he could only do 30 maximum
Job unpractical in warehouse environment - couldn't reach all the shelves
Building unsuitable, occy health when they were eventually involved months later after the return were ignored even.
Admit brother's attitude and coping, a small mistake turned into a major.
Appeal to dismissal overturn lost. They even sent him to a building to receive their review decision he couldn't even get into.
(He was un-unionised etc and sought legal advise to late) he isn't wanting to fight as much as my Mum and Sister-in-law are doing the unthinkable

Why couldn't they have got rid when he was in hospital. It just would have been so much kinder and easier all round.

I think someone may be dragging him into CAB this week, we appreciate he may not have fully helped himself, he left things....
though he want's to go to work to have something to get up for. This job came up and could fit so thanks again. We are really grateful. Thanks again.

w06

if it's the right place for him they'll understand that. I had 3 years of no work having had to give up what I'd trained for, getting a job, any job he can do, is a huge step and much easier from there to find another and make progress

elsien

How sure is he that the employer reference will only give dates? What if the new employer directly asks about disciplinary proceedings? Just wondering if there might need to be an element of damage limitation.

BorisThomson

my brother then wrote a letter explaining his in a wheelchair and by return got an application form to fill in

I'd strongly advise against this when job seeking. Disability should be mentioned in the relevant section on the application (for reasonable adjustments), this is often not seen by those sifting applications. He wants to be recognised first and foremost for what he can do, not for being disabled.

Added to that, discrimination in recruitment is still common but very difficult to prove. His disability will be evident at interview but you don't want to be giving them a reason to reject his application before he even gets to that point, before he gets a chance to sell himself in person.

Think about it in a conversation with a recruiter. You would say, "Hello, my name is John and my skills are ...". You would never say, "My name is John and my disability is ...".

System

My previous job i didnt mention my disability (it was before formal doognosis as bipolar), that didnt go well and they effectively sacked me whilst i was on sick leave.

i then had 3 1/2 years on esa. I decided to declare my disabiity as i knew id need adjustments, when it came to why were you off work i was honest and told them i was recovering from illness. Since being in my newjob they mad ajustments such as no early shifts, no shifts longer than 6 hours and after an occ health assssment no longer than 20 hours a week and fixed shifts. This has been a massive thing for me as it has kept me in this job for nearly 5 years now.

I feel if you think you need adjustments you should declare it, though its personal choice if you do or not.