is this disability discrimination or okay to ask?

[ATempUserName]

Not sure if I am being oversensitive and not sure what to do.

I had an interview for a sideways / higher level position in my current public sector organisation. Different department.

I have an assistance dog. Nearly everyone in the company knows I have an assistance dog. No problem taking her to work etc but having one does seem to be preventing me from moving up the ladder, into jobs that will be more client engagement.

Prior to the interview, my current line manager told me to 'leave the dog at home so it doesn't distract the interviewers'. (my dog was unsettled in a previous unsuccessful internal interview, but it was a very small room with a lot of passing 'traffic' and 'noise' outside. I wasn't comfortable in that room either!)

And in this week's unsuccessful interview, I was asked by the interviewers (who both see me every day as we're in the same building albeit different floors) if my dog "goes everywhere with you" I answered yes, and they said "Okay just wondering" but it made me uncomfortable and I wonder if it played a part in their decision.

I think I gave a really good interview, I felt confident, so I'm not sure what reason they will give for my lack of success. I have a feedback interview in 2 weeks (interviewer on leave). Should I say something?

Any advice appreciated. I've been there 14 years (not always with an assistance dog) and I've had lots of problems re: my disabilities and do seem to have developed a reputation as a complainer as a result.

Hello, HR bod here.

The way you describe the situation would give rise to a reasonable belief that you were discriminated against HOWEVER you need to obtain the reasons for your rejection before you lay your cards on the table.

I would send an email to your line manager along the lines of

"Hi Manager,

You may have heard I was unsuccessful at my interview last week; perhaps I should have taken your advice of leaving Dog at home. I hope their presence didn't distract from my answers.

I'm disappointed but have a feedback meeting book on Date at Time- I hope it's OK to attend?

regards,..."

Well you might not have got the job because there was a more suitable candidate.

However telling you to leaveyour assistance dog at home so as not to inconvenience people is a cunty and disablist thing to do.
I'd say you havestrong grounds to complain.

Are we talking Guide Dog OP?

I am aghast that you were advised to leave your assistance dog at home. Surely without the dog being there you would have been at a disadvantage in some way, owing to the need of an assistance dog. Whomever told you this needs picking up on it OP.

Telling someone to leave their assistance dog at home is the same as telling someone to leave their wheelchair at home.
I think you have strong grounds to complain, and you can talk to ACAS and your union rep.

The Acas helpline number is 0300 123 1100

Not a guide dog no, but still a legally recognised assistance dog with the exact same rights. (see ADUK website)

I wont be saying to my line manager "maybe I should have taken your advice..." shocked an HR person would advise that tbh

But yes, I will wait for the feedback, but seriously, who is going to admit that an assistance dog was the reason for my rejection? I can't prove anything but I do have the email from my line manager. I know if I complain her defence will be "but you told me [dog] was badly behaved in last interview, I was only trying to help etc etc"

I think you have strong grounds to complain, and you can talk to ACAS and your union rep

I agree seeking advice from rep is a good idea, as is seeking feedback to see the reasons they give before deciding what to do next. I also agree advice re leaving assistance dog at home was not good advice. But it was OP's current line manager who gave her that advice, not the interviewers who made the decision re the job- so not sure that a complaint can be made against them (at least not until OP has the feedback). Surely complaint would have to be against current line manager?

If your manager tells you to leave your dog at home, that's a separate issue from not getting the job because you use a dog.
OP might not be able to prove she didn't get the job because of her disability aid, but she has it in writing that the dog is considered a problem

Not sure how to raise it with my line manager...tbh its not the only hurtful advice she gave me re: the interview but to give more details would totally out me. I have two potential things to complain about.

She gave me a list of the interview questions that interviewers can chose from before my interview though, which she should not have done, so I feel like I shouldn't be complaining about her if that makes sense? She's very odd, one minute super nice and the next making me feel like shit. She has mental health problems so I feel guilty if I get her into trouble but my best friend says f*ck her and put myself first?

Get advice from union rep and then approach her about it. I wouldn't necessarily approach this situation with a "f*ck her" attitude to begin with- I find things starting out combatitively can leave you nowhere else to go- by all means take things as far as you need to if you don't get a satisfactorily response to the issues you raise. Her mental health really isn't your problem though.

One word of caution- if it comes out she gave you the list of questions they could ask in the interview, it certainly won't look good for her. But it may also not reflect well on you either- whilst it's not your fault she gave this list to you, you didn't refuse them or let anyone know this had happened. That could then be seen as you being given an unfair advantage over other candidates.

Didn’t you start a similar thread recently? Where there’s more of a backstory?

Definitely don’t complain about your manager giving you the questions- that has given you an advantage.
I would ask for the feedback and see what it is, but your right it’s not likely to say it’s about your dog.
Do you think they’ve taken against your dog for any reason?

Not sure what thread that was. I did post a few interview help threads under my usual user name though. None under this one.

Please don't link to any other threads in case they are mine as I don't want to be outed. It's hard to talk about without being easily identifiable. There is a whole history with this company though, yes.

I imagine they are yours as it was only last week! And the details are very similar
But no I won’t link

Can I ask, what sort of complaints? Are they valid? Are you truly happy with your current employer given the complaints?

The issue of the suggestion of leaving your dog at home is totally and completely unacceptable.

They have met my dog before as one of the interviewers is based in the same building as me. They both gave her a pat etc in the interview (which I don't normally allow for distraction reasons but wanted them to like me!). One said she had 2 dogs and the one who asked the question is a cat lady.

So it seemed to be okay then one of them asked "does she go everywhere" and I said "yes", they exchanged a look then said "okay that's fine, just wondered". I thought it was a bit strange. Come to think of it, I think she began with "can I ask a personal question" or words to those effect...I wasn't going to say 'no' though, was I?

I like my job. I get personal support workers etc through access to work. It's just people's ignorance and negative attitudes that I come up against again and again. It makes me want to leave for that alone.

Yes I think there was a very similar thread last week - with lots of advice.

And there was more to it than just the dog.

I remember the thread too.

I'm sorry I have to ask, but what has your manager's 'mental health problems' got to do with anything, I'm a little confused. If she's been disablist then that's simply it, MH conditions aren't an excuse.

Would HR be supportive of educating staff about your assistance dog and what they can expect?

Don't complain yet. They might have assessed you as "also suitable". Do note down all facts now before you forget.

If they give some bollocks feedback then involve onions etc and ask for a copy of the interview notes....

Ask your union rep to come with you to your feedback meeting, and let your manager know in advance.

If you’ve had to make multiple complaints, you don’t say how many. 3 in 14 years is different from 3 complaints a year. It also depends how you’ve approached the complaints. Perhaps they are questioning your commitment to the company? I’m just surmising.

yes I will ask for a copy of the interview notes, I already plan to do so. I will have a chat with my union rep too.

Good point about MH being no excuse. I guess I just don't like making enemies, especially when I've got to carry on working with them.

I’m really shocked that your mAnager would advise you to leave your dog at home, and that the interviewers would ask you if s/he went everywhere with you.
Your dog isn’t a badly judged fashion choice that is not doing you any favours ffs.
Replace the word dog with wheelchair and you can see what page they’re on.
I’d be getting on to my union rep ASAP.