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Original poster

All application forms ask how much time off sick you've had.......

11 replies

nutcracker · 20/07/2006 18:46

and dp has had nearly 6 mths off, plus they ask if you have any back related problems, which is exactly the reason he is off, so how the hell is he going to get another job ?

Compared to someone with minimum time off sick and no back prob, he stands no chance does he ?

It's bloody arsing stupid.

Grummp Nutty XXXXXX

OP posts:
southeastastra · 20/07/2006 18:55

lots of people have back problems, it's best to be honest. what sort of job is he after?

Original poster
nutcracker · 20/07/2006 18:58

Any would be good right now tbh.

He is currently employed as a dreyman but his g.p will not sign him as fit to do that job ever again and the company will also not ever let him do that job again and can't find anything else for him to do so he is on SSP but that runs out soon and he'll have to go on incapacity.

His g.p has said no jobs with lifting involved but also no jobs where he is sat down all day as that is just as bad.

His previous jobs have been, pest controller, and factory worker. He has tried applying for pest control stuff again but is getting nowhere fast.

OP posts:
jellyjelly · 20/07/2006 19:00

what is a dreyman? never heard it before.

Original poster
nutcracker · 20/07/2006 19:01

He delivers kegs of beer and drinks to pubs, clubs, resturants etc.

OP posts:
southeastastra · 20/07/2006 19:25

did he do his back in lifting the kegs? my dp did his back in working as a postie

LittleB · 20/07/2006 19:26

If there isn't anything that he can reasonably do, couldn't he apply for disability living allowance instead. It sounds like he's going to have trouble finding something thats ok for his back regardless of his sick record. Sorry thats probably not very helpful, but its better income than incapacity. My stepdad gets it as he has heart failiure and mental health problems.Its hard to think of anything that isn't sitting down alot and doesn't involve lifting.

saffy202 · 20/07/2006 19:53

There should be a Disability Employment Adviser at your local job centre. They help people like your dh get back into work and will also explore his options about which kind of work he could feasibly do.

liquidclocks · 20/07/2006 19:57

I had this problem returning to work after DS and it's so hard coz you think you'll be penalized for it. I'm also an occupational therapist and have dealt with patients with same issue so hope I can be of a little help with some tips.

  • Be honest, if you're not and then you get sick/injured you wouldn't be covered by any company insurance and it would look really bad too.
  • If he gets to interview and is asked about his sick record he can choose to answer or he can politely say that his fitness to work is not to do with his ability to do the job and that is a separate issue he would be happy to discuss with occupational health, if he does this he should reassure them that he feels able to do the job and his GP agrees.
  • Go and see the disability officer at the job centre. The new disability discrimination act redefined disability as "physical or mental impairment which has a substantial and long term adverse effect on the ability to carry out normal day to day activities". You don't have to be registered disabled to have rights under the new act and a long-term back problem may qualify him. If this is the case he gets to tick the box on application forms and automatically gets and interview for any job he is qualified for. He then has the opportuity at least to win the potential employers over. (I personally qualify to tick this box because I have chronic migraine which unmedicated affects my abilities - but I don't consider myself 'disabled')
  • From a confidence point of view, sit down together and make a list of all his experience and personal qualities, then think about an 16 yr old school leaver or a 25 yr old dippy lad with no brains! Seriously - I'm sure he has loads of things that would make him attractive to employers, he just needs to be able to verbalise them in an interview.

Sorry for the essay - just want to be of use! Try and see long term benefits as a last resort if you don't already - once you're on them it's difficult to get off and the government's about to make it harder to qualify for them.

Best of luck to him, it's a hard thing to do but it's great he's got you to support him.

Original poster
nutcracker · 20/07/2006 22:30

Thanks for the advice. I suggested he went to the job centre but he's worried they will try and make him do somethnig he doesn't want to I think.

He was thinking of applying at our local Aldi's as is says full training given but I know you have to do the shelf stacking aswell as till work so i'm not sure they'd take him on with a back problem even if he thought he could do it.

Only other thing I thought of is Taxi driver, but our car is too old to use as one and he has 6 points on his licence so not sure where he'd stand on that.

OP posts:
Original poster
nutcracker · 20/07/2006 22:32

Mind you, taxi driver is sitting down all day isn't it.

OP posts:
liquidclocks · 21/07/2006 17:08

Perhaps not the job centre in terms of finding a job but more to see the advisor about where he stands on grounds of health. They may also surprise you and be of assistance in thinking of something he could do - they see this sort of injury all the time so do have experience.

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