Applying for a job - when to tell them about disability?

[PastMyBestBeforeDate]

I've applied for a new job. I'm currently employed in a professional role and this is my first application for a new job since becoming disabled. I am also immunosuppressed so it's a wfh role.
At what point do I tell them about my disability (MS)?

When you apply for a job you must fill out the diversity forms accurately and say you have a disability, though you don't have to specify what at this point.

The interview panel should not know the content of the diversity forms, so won't know your circumstances unless it is obvious.

The interview panel are not allowed to ask you any disability based questions, even if you are sat in a wheelchair.

Legally you don't need to tell them until after they have offered you the job. Then HR or OT will sort out any reasonable adjustments.

Well apparently, I haven't been offered a job so far.

ps. Have you been told only to look for home work because of the immunosuppression?

Thanks Worrys it's a cv application so no forms yet. It's not just the immunosuppression, my mobility isn't great and I'd struggle in an office even if I could get there.

I was interested, as I am also immune supressed and my consultant didn't mention anything about working from home?

Hope you heard back from the job soon 🙂

You should tell them at any point where you will need some reasonable adjustments.

So in your case (unless they operate under a guaranteed interview scheme) you'll want to tell the recruiter before any in person interview. A reasonable adjustment for you would be a video interview or one at a venue that's accessible for you.

If they send a diversity monitoring form once you submit your application, fill this out and declare your disability. The interview panel won't see this information.

Thank you 😀
One of the doctors who do my treatment was very clear that we should be careful. She was a bit twitchy about the dc being in school last year before they were vaccinated.

Twiz yes it's remote interview so that's easy.

You should tell them at any point where you will need some reasonable adjustments.

I agree with this. Which means for people who don't need any reasonable adjustment s at all, or where the disability doesn't impact the ability to have a fair chance at the selection stage, or carry out the role of appointed, you don't necessarily have to tell them at all.

Also completion of diversity monitoring forms cannot be made compulsory for an employee.

I suppose my worry is that I go through the recruitment process which involves a fair amount of work and then I ask for that adjustment- it's only an occasional office day - and that's a deal breaker that wastes everyone's time.

Do you know whether the recruitment process will be fully remote? If not you need to request the adjustment to be interviewed remotely at the recruitment stage.

Personally, if it the process of fully remote anyway, I would go through the recruitment process and then ask for the reasonable adjustment once offered the job. Unless there is a very good reason why fully wfh isn't possible (and would stand up in court) then they legally have to make that adjustment.

If you don't want to put in the pre-selection work without discussing, then that is your choice to make.

Hi from a fellow MS person 😊I have moved jobs several times since my diagnosis. I tend to play it by ear in the interview. If it’s going well then I mention it at a suitable moment. I want them to know as early as possible tbh. It’s almost a test - if they don’t then want me well then that’s not a place I want to work anyway and I’d rather not waste anymore of their time or mine. I am on Tysabri so have to have time out every four weeks and it’s something that a prospective employer needs to know and I need the comfort early on that it’s not going to be a problem.

Yes Rocking it is fully remote. The job is described as remote too with occasional office visits. That may just be so they don't have to treat it as a home worker role and provide broadband though. My current role has been adapted this way.

Good to hear that Apple. I wasn't suitable for Tysabri so I'm on Ocrevus. That's only twice a year so less of an impact. Hopefully as you say it will be as much a test for them as for me.

Go them the basics ie wheelchair user, or physical/ disability or wherever type it is. You should never ever been asked about any of your disability during an interview and anything else can wait till you actually in the door. Unwilling be disclosing too much too soon. Been there bought the t shirt!