ESA permitted work query

[Midsimmer]

I’m currently claiming ESA (support group) as I have a long-term health condition, but am trying to get back into part time work.

I have an interview for a job that states ‘8 hour shifts’. ESA allows permitted work ‘less than 16 hours per week’ and I’m desperately trying to figure out how this would work with ESA, and what to say to my potential new employer if I’m offered the job.

Presumably an ‘8 hour shift’ includes an unpaid lunch break, so if I worked two shifts per week would I be working 14 or 16 hours in the eyes of ESA?

If it would be classed as 16 hours, what can I say to the prospective employer to try to get around it without having to divulge too much of my situation?

Thank you.

The lunch break may not be an hour so you need to ask really. It would probably be better to be upfront at the interview about it being permitted work and the amount of hours you can do, they may be happy to tweak things so it works for you.

www.gov.uk/rest-breaks-work

www.gov.uk/government/publications/employment-and-support-allowance-permitted-work-form/permitted-work-factsheet

Thank you. I am really reluctant to disclose my health condition (endometriosis) as I think it’s very likely to put them off. Why would they hire me when they could hire a candidate without a health condition? 🙁