How do you find a job when your disabled?

[Zippidy123]

I'm in the process of being made redundant from a job that I've done for 20 years. When I started working here I got the job on a full time basis but after 2 years was diagnosed with a chronic heath condition that classifies me as disabled. I've been so lucky to have an amazing manager who has accommodated my health problems and I've basically been able to work around my condition, picking hours that suit me on an almost day to day basis.

I can't imagine I'll ever find this again and I'm petrified of what the future now holds. I'm in my early 40's and I fall between the cracks of not being ill enough to claim PIP but being too ill to work full time. Part time hours are difficult too as my condition is so unpredictable. I can be fine in the morning and really very unwell by lunchtime. I cant imagine any other employer putting up with it. I was still able to fulfill my current role despite these difficulties but I know I won't find that again.

Are there any organisations that help people like me find work? I feel so vulnerable. I want and need to work but I'm so limited by my condition.

Are you able to give some idea what sector /skills you have? Is there a possibility of working in the third sector or self employed?

I work in laboratory sciences but I'd do anything if it fitted around my health problems.

I think the employment market is becoming more flexible since covid, which may help you.
I just got a part time job, pick my own hours and working from home. I'm not disabled but need to work around my kids.
As long as you have the skills and qualifications they are looking for it's a job seekers market, hopefully this applies in your sector.

Have a look at www.astriid.co.uk
This is exactly their speciality. Good luck!

Sorry .org not .co.uk

Yes, I was coming to suggest Astriid as well!

I’m in a similar boat to you OP- too well for PIP but not well enough to work full time or be on my feet. I couldn’t manage the career I trained for and ended up in the civil service, which is very accommodating of disabilities. Most (maybe all?) departments operate a disability confident scheme where disabled applicants are guaranteed an interview if they meet the required standard and they are generally quite good for part time working- flexi is also a godsend.

Depends on your disability.

I’m visually impaired and it is virtually impossible I was actually offered a job in 2019 but it was withdrawn due to my disability.

I’ve had interviews withdrawn because the companies, who claim to be disability confident, have refused to make reasonable adjustments for assessments. And the VI charities are absolutely useless.

ABIIOR thankyou

riotlady thankyou, its such a horrible feeling, to be at the mercy of your condition with no control. I know I'm capable of something, its just so daunting to be starting over again.

When was the last time you applied for PIP?

Have you had a capability for work assessment?

You may find that's changed as well.

You may find a charity helpful in helping you look at PIP.

Also that link looks good.

itsgettingweird thanks for the reply, I've never applied for PIP. I've had the forms but I don't have any mobility problems-I can wash and dress myself, cook, manage my finances, my meds etc.

Thing is it's not that you can manage them as such.

Do you need help and support? Can you work a full day and then cook without any assistance?

Have you looked at governance type roles? There are quality standards that labs need to adhere to, things like ISO 15189, if you have experience working in that sector then you can do reasonably short causes to become an Auditor working for UKAS or LRQA or one of gene other bodies. You can also work directly for labs as their ISO/accreditations manager. It's a management/quality function more than a practical hands on role, so quite well suited to flexible working or remote.

Jobs like this one - www.totaljobs.com/job/qa-specialist/hobson-prior-international-ltd-job95978707

You can claim pip while working, it's not a means tested benefit. It's to help you with the extra expenses needed to live your life as a disabled person. I don't work for pay but I volunteer, and my mobility component (high rate) pays for taxis. My medium rate care pays for a cleaner. It's worth putting in a claim, you never know what you might be entitled to!