To ask whether you think I should declare a disability to potential employers?

[RosiesTeaStall]

I've NC to protect my identity.

In theory employers shouldn't discriminate, I know that.
However, I have a diagnosis of a MH disability, which is invisible.

It is PTSD stemming from an incident probably a series of incidents if I'm being honest which happened in my former career.

I'm now applying for entry-level roles, away from my previous industry. It may be difficult enough to get a job as I had a career spanning over a decade and was experienced and well qualified in that field.

Setting aside the challenge of returning to the workplace, post incident.
WIBU to declare that I do have a disability? I anticipate that I wouldn't need to take time off for it, or that I would require any adjustments.
WWYD?

You don’t have to - so if you don’t think you need any adjustments, and you prefer your privacy, then don’t.

Good luck in you new chosen career

You don't have to disclose, if you dont they won't have to make allowances for your disability, if you do tell them you may not get the job.
It will be hard to think up a reasonable excuse for applying for junior level.

I wouldn't. I have a physical disability and dint declare it as it won't impact my ability to do the jobs I'm applying for.
Anyone could start with an employer and then become physically or mentally disabled so don't worry about it now and good luck with your job hunt.

You aren’t obligated to declare it, especially not in the hiring process. As you don’t think you’ll need any extra adjustments I think you’re fine to keep it to yourself. Once you’re in the job, if you find that it does impact you in some way, then perhaps you could have that conversation.

I wouldn’t declare it. I’ve known someone with a disability be called for interview purely to tick the equality and diversity box. Plenty of employers would also turn someone down if they had a disability (unofficially of course).

Collectively you've pretty much summed up my thoughts.

: would I get interviews (but not the job) just as a box ticking exercise for that company?

: as it's invisible I could choose not to declare it.

: OTOH if I don't declare it I feel like I'm pretending to be someone else from the start and the PTSD has made me more introverted around other people so it could make building work relationships tough going.

: if I don't tell them then tell them later will they sack me for dishonesty by omission?

: how else do I explain the change of career direction?

No, I wouldn’t declare a disability in your circumstances, discrimination, sadly, does exist. As you’re changing direction, could you say that you’re looking at more junior level jobs simply to gain experience in that field? Hard to say whether the change of direction is plausible without knowing what it is, obviously you can’t say if it’s outing. Though my own change of direction was fairly extreme, so it can be done :)

I had PTSD and left my chosen profession. After some time out I went back to an entry level job. The interview was with just one person who was warm and empathetic and when she asked why I'd left a high profile career for this job it all came gushing out! Actually I was glad it did because I have certain triggers that make me anxious and because she knew this, she worked around them
It's up to you but it really helped me to disclose.

Tilly that's a great outcome, congratulations.
That's the thing - I'd like to be able to tell people about it because this is me now and it's been a slog to get this far, I would like to be unapologetically who I really am.

I'm just not sure that life works like that.
People discriminate, they shouldn't but they do.

To answer the question about my previous career, I don't want to be outed but I have a BA, an MA and some professional qualifications.
There was a lot of paperwork, legal compliance and I was often client facing. The client could be businesses, organisations or individuals.

Sometimes the news I gave them was difficult but mostly not.
The day of the attack should have been straightforward, otherwise they would have sent a colleague with me.
We didn't know that the client too had severe MH challenges.
Even though I went to discuss a good thing (for him) he attacked me, wouldn't let me leave and I was found later by a colleague of his.
An ambulance was called and a hospital stay followed.

I've tried to go back to my old company and I've tried to do a similar job with different companies but I just...can't do it.

As for entry level jobs - I'd just like to work in a factory or similar.

would I get interviews (but not the job) just as a box ticking exercise for that company?

For some companies it may be a box-ticking exercise. For other organisations, it's a commitment under the Disability Confident (Two Ticks) scheme to guarantee an interview if you meet the essential criteria.

I think you'll get a feel for the interviewee in the day.
I personally dont admit anything, a new guy started 2 years ago, I've mentioned before he was honest saying he had a breakdown from the stress of his last job, he did get the job with us, he is good but is out sick a lot. I think our manager regrets giving him the job.
Do you feel confident enough going back to work? Can you afford to do some training or volunteering to raise your confidence.
But the point is boss was willing to give him the chance, many employers have had MH issues themself.

OP your PTSD wasnt a breakdown from stress, you were really hurt.
Sorry I didn't see your update, yes in your case I'd be honest, you're only human with lots of experience.
I hope you get the job x

Hi, if in the UK, they should only be asking about disabilities etc for monitoring purposes and shouldn’t tie it to individual applications to prevent discrimination. I would always declare after hire to protect myself from discrimination as otherwise they can reasonably claim that they didn’t know if they discriminate.

It's been a while, I've done some volunteering and some agency work (related to my previous role), all of which went well and they will all give me good references.
So I know I can work and not take time off.
If I felt physically threatened by which I mean real threat, not a perceived threat then yes, it probably would set me off but I'm applying for jobs in factories so being physically threatened shouldn't be part of the job and would be unacceptable anyway.

Maybe I've swallowed too much of the go girl, you can do it rhetoric but I'd like to be honest about who I am.
OTOH I think to myself Rosie, this is not your fight, leave the whole breaking down prejudices thing to the big guys.
That's the crux of my AIBU I think, AIBU to be honest about who I am and what has happened? Or do I hide it?

I'd work hard, I'd work well, I'm not overreaching, I'd just like a chance.

Thank you Emerald that is useful

Thanks Bat it's handy to know that I can declare afterwards.

Sorry meant to say they If asking at application stage this should be for monitoring purposes only. Some companies are better at this than others e.g companies with electronic systems will generally not pass this on to the hiring manager.

I vote for securing the job, then being honest about it.
I think you'll nail it OP.
More people need to stand out for support with mental scarring and help each other.
Good luck

Just seen your update. I’m sorry you’ve been through that. I would go with disclosure once an offer has been secured, but keep it brief and factual. You’ve clearly worked hard to keep going after such an awful experience and have a solid and stable work history which will stand you in good stead. I think employers are concerned about potential employees that they perceive might be off sick a lot, this clearly doesn’t apply to you. You’ve faced a major challenge in your life and have demonstrably worked hard to deal with it.

The only thing that might be questioned is why you’re applying for roles that you might be seen as being overqualified for.

FWIW, I worked in financial services and was badly bullied, to the point of feeling suicidal, and forced out of my job. So, no job, no money, didn’t work for 6 months through clinical depression. I thought I would never be happy again. I did have a roof over my head though and a wonderfully supportive family, so I was lucky. Like you, I did a number I temp jobs to keep my hand in, rebuild my CV and pay the bills. Eventually, I retrained, taught art, and am now a professional artist. It can be done.

I never declare my bipolar