Should I have kept the fact I'm disabled a secret - AIBU

[kattekitt]

Please go easy on me as I don't post very often, but I could really do with some opinions and advice:

I've recently decided to get back into work (been off after becoming disabled)

My health is now stable and I'm able to cope on a day to day basis, my doctor agrees that returning to work would be a good idea, so I've applied for a job - similar to what I used to do only difference is the tasks are lighter so I'd be able to do them. I met 95% of the requirements, the only one I didn't was only desirable. The job is in a male sector (if that matters)

I've had an email today to say very sorry but your application has been unsuccessful, they say it's due to location and not fitting the requirements. The job has been advertised in my area by the employer, as I said I hit all requirements. I'm feeling rather upset that they've possibly made a judgement based on assumptions they've made about me. I've always thought that honesty is the best policy, but this has really knocked my confidence, any thoughts please?

How long was your break from work?

Best to be honest, if u get the job they’ll find out eventually. I’ve always been honest when applying for jobs, my last job I was in for 8 years and they knew I was disabled beforehand. I just started a new job on Monday and they also knew.

If it asks in the application if I consider myself disabled I tick yes, if it doesn’t ask I tell them at interview. My disability isn’t visible but I need monthly blood tests and regular hospital appointments so I need to be transparent about it.

Neither of these employers made a big deal about it. My new employers asked for some details, if I didn’t mind and only due to the industry, and asked if I needed any reasonable adjustments which I don’t.

What size of company is it?

I never disclose my bipolar while applying for jobs

Sorry I don't know what sector you're in and whether this would fit at all, but in some areas being disabled is, well, not a 'plus' (ie it's not positive discrimination) but it's definitely advantageous to disclosing. Lots of public sector employers guarantee interviews to anyone with a registered disability who meets the essential criteria, and some third sector do and some larger private companies follow suit (where want to advertise that they are inclusive employers)

There will be some shortsighted employers who don't value applicants who have disabilities, but if you lie about it you risk ending up working for said short sighted employer who is unlikely to be supportive when you're in post. A good employer will accommodate as neccesary at interview and support you in post.

Thanks for your responses, to answer your questions:

I’ve been out of work for 4 years, but volunteering for 2 years to get me back into a rountine, so I know I’m ready and able to go back to work.

It’s a medium sized company.

I think I’m just gutted that they’ve possibly made a decision based on my disability but have tried to make it something else and that clearly isn’t the case.

Thanks for your advice, I’ll continue to apply for jobs and be honest as you’ve suggested it’s best all round.

Message them & ask them to be specific exactly which requirements you didn't fit and why location was relevant. This is very reasonable to ask.

I agree with previous post about asking for specific feedback. It seems more likely that another candidate had all the requirements AND the desirable and so you lost out because the competition was stiff.

Don't let it put you off, after all it's expected to suffer a few rejections before finding the right job. And absolutely be honest about your disability, by law employers cannot discriminate and have to consider reasonable adjustments if you identify the need. I know there will be some companies out there who 'fail' to do this but you don't want to work for a discriminatory company anyway! I wish you tonnes of luck in your pursuit of your dream job.

It could be that the employers already had someone in mind for the role, perhaps someone already working there on a temporary basis doing that particular job, but they have to advertise the job anyway.
I've seen this happen so many times over the years, so it might be nothing to do with you at all. You are doing all the right things to get back into employment so don't give up

I'd try not to take it to heart OP. My DP had been applying for a new job for a couple of years, he's put in good applications to jobs he could easily walk into. He had pocky had a couple of interviews, whereas in reality he should have been offered 10+ jobs.

Sometimes there are lots of people who are that little bit better fit than you, or sometimes the way you word things just rubs the recruiter the wrong way.

You only know your side of things - you met all criteria except one desirable so you're a 95% match. You have no idea how many 100% matches there were, so you're making assumptions about the reason you weren't chosen.

It's perfectly human to do, but not very helpful, especially if it makes you feel bad.

Try and get feedback, and good luck on your next application

Thanks very much for your kind words.

So I've asked for my specific feedback and they have come back with:

inappropriate location and previous comparable experience.

The job was advertised locally in my area and I have very relevant experience

I wouldn't want to work for these people now, it's just upset me that they are trying to put it down to something else, when it doesn't make any sense at all.

I've applied for a couple of other jobs and I know it'll take time to find the right thing, the right company will also be supportive.

I think you are probably correct..

However.. if you had not disclosed your disability, would this company have met your needs when they later became apparent?

Would you want to work for a company that behaves this way?

I don't think I would!

You honestly don’t know it’s your disability. Long gone are the days where there is only one suitable applicant per job. Employers look for fit in the team etc. And there may be one other person who also had the desirable. So I think you need to pick yourself up and keep applying! You sound smart and level headed, you will find the right role!

**lljkk

Message them & ask them to be specific exactly which requirements you didn't fit and why location was relevant. This is very reasonable to ask.**

Agree with this.

About a year after I was first disabled I went on 3 job interviews. I was more than qualified to do all the jobs with the fright experience too.

Out of the 3 I told 2 of them about my disability. On the 3rd I didn’t disclose it.

I got offered one job and you can guess which one it was

I’m also in what was always a male dominated industry (Accountancy practice).

In the end I’ve ended up working for myself straight from the job I had when I was first diagnosed. Don’t think I’d ever go back to working for someone else.