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Declaring a disability at an assessment interview

4 replies

Lilymaid · 05/02/2015 11:42

DS, currently a postgrad student, has an interview tomorrow for a place on the graduate scheme of a large multinational. If he were asked one of those typical questions such as "tell us about a situation where you have successfully dealt with adversity" would it be inappropriate to use the example of how he faced a chronic illness (which counts as a disability under the Equality Act) whilst an undergraduate and came out with a good degree? He is otherwise in very good health (no one would know there was anything the matter with him, his life expectancy is now normal and his energy levels and general health etc. are normal).
Obviously, if he were offered the job, he would have to declare the illness on any health checks.

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humlebee7 · 05/02/2015 20:38

IMHO I'd possibly suggest picking another work or non personal example. I liken it to people saying their greatest achievement is passing their driving test at interview. Might be true for them but not likely to tick many boxes in what the interviewers are scoring him against. They are likely to be looking for examples of dealing with conflict, balancing competing demands and such like.

Phoenixfrights · 11/02/2015 22:46

My advice would be not to mention a health condition at interview unless specifically asked about health or disability. There are lots of other examples he could use, I'm sure.

Many people will hear 'illness' and 'disability' and think 'more of a risk' and 'possibly unreliable'. Tragic, but true. And I say that as someone with a lifelong illness which would also be classdd as a disability under the Equality Act.

Lying if asked to disclose is a very bad idea however.

Viviennemary · 11/02/2015 22:50

I would advise him not to mention this particular health issue at the interview. And to find another example. Agree with the others.

Lilymaid · 12/02/2015 10:06

Thanks for your answers. I haven't quizzed him yet about this assessment day and he doesn't normally mention his leukaemia so I don't expect he did mention it.
He just got some exam results back for the first semester of his masters course - all merits and distinctions ... now that is something to mention!

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