Disabilities and person specifications

Les79

TELLIT01 wrote: »

If the job states 'Driving licence essential' and you don't have a driving licence, for whatever reason, you are not suitable for the role. That has nothing whatever to do with disability.

Maybe a driving licence isn't actually essential?

PasturesNew

Sometimes jobs put down a stock number of things on every job "in case".

e.g. you could be a filing clerk ... but they like staff to be "flexible", so if the phone rang and they needed somebody to drive the works' van immediately to collect/deliver something, then they like to know they could do that.

I've had a job in the past where I've walked the 200 yards to work, as a specialist/expert in my field ... and by mid afternoon I was in the sister company's works' van delivering boxes of printing to six local companies because it needed doing by somebody ... anybody, to meet their client deadlines and deliver goods on time.

Sncjw

I am disabled but I am allowed to drive but just haven’t taken lessons.

If a job asks for driving then I don’t apply for it. It’s like when they want a qualification you don’t have. You wouldn’t apply for the job

GlasweJen

Les79 wrote: »

Is that not discriminatory towards disabled people, though?

Effectively discouraging people like OP's relative (and you, though you defied conventions) from applying in the first place?

The nurse who wrote the person spec had put it down because the job was based in one hospital but you could be asked to work at another hospital as and when. As that's always arranged in advance then I pointed out that I'd just get my husband to drop me there or get a taxi over if it was a mid-shift covering someone going sick.

This has happened with a few jobs that I've applied for, never got as far as being in post but it's something you wouldn't notice unless you were medically disqualified and had to find work.

Being medically disqualified isn't the same as not bothering to learn in the first place.

[Deleted User]

Sncjw wrote: »

I am disabled but I am allowed to drive but just haven’t taken lessons.

If a job asks for driving then I don’t apply for it. It’s like when they want a qualification you don’t have. You wouldn’t apply for the job

Being disabled and being medically excluded from driving due to disability ain't the same thing.

You just can't be bothered I can actually drive and have passed my test but legally not allowed because of my disability.

TELLIT01

Les79 wrote: »

Maybe a driving licence isn't actually essential?

If a driving licence is genuinely essential to do the job, it is not discriminatory not to interview anybody who does not have a driving licence. Is that clearer!

jobbingmusician

I would always challenge the 'driving licence essential' bit unless the job was primarily as a driver. JS are often written by people with no imagination and no awareness of what disability law says and how it should be applied.

I have a blind friend who has one of these jobs. Licence essential to travel between sites, apparently, but he has managed it well for many years.

mark55man

TELLIT01 wrote: »

If a driving licence is genuinely essential to do the job, it is not discriminatory not to interview anybody who does not have a driving licence. Is that clearer!

It’s discriminatory if people use driving essential to discriminate against disabled people when it isn’t actually essential. No amount of repetition that where it is essential it’s essential stops it being wrong to say it’s essential when it isn’t.

kingfisherblue

TELLIT01 wrote: »

If the job states 'Driving licence essential' and you don't have a driving licence, for whatever reason, you are not suitable for the role. That has nothing whatever to do with disability.

I think it depends on the circumstances. Disability aside, some people don't have driving licences for different reasons.

My son wanted a job, and rang to ask about one that said a driving licence was essential. He explained that without work, he cannot afford to learn to drive, but it was something that he was keen to do. He was told to apply anyway. The owner of the firm contacted him, and asked him about it, so he gave the same explanation. My son was invited for an interview. Now, he is learning to drive, paid for by the wages after the employer took him on. There is a lot of driving involved, and it would not be practical to use public transport. Instead, he works either in the workshop or goes out with one of the drivers at the moment. He is very grateful to his employer for giving him the opportunity, and knows that he is fortunate.

Once my son has passed his test, he is likely to be sent on jobs in work vehicles, like the other employees.

Sncjw

Excuse me. Your saying I can’t be bothered to learn. I have disability which makes it harder to learn. I am deaf. I know there’s deaf people that do drive but personally I find it harder. It’s not that I can’t be bothered.

I don’t apply for jobs if it says I need a licence because I’m reading what is required. I know that my application will be put aside