Blank Spaces on CV

magic_girl

I've hospitalised a number of times due to depression. Now my CV is very full of gaps.

I was speaking with the hospitals occupational therapist. She said that i had to declare the 'disability'. If i was an employer i wouldn't touch me with a barge pole....

Any tips on the old CV? I would like to declare it as it would no doubt effect my work but i don't want to scare the ****e out of a potential employer.

Amz

You're really under no obligation to disclose your disability. It's a personal choice. Sometimes it can be easier to disclose it early on in the process, or early on in the job, as if it becomes an issue later on then your employer is aware of it etc.

I would suggest having a look at www.ahead.ie they used to have an information leaflet on disclosure of a disability for work, but I can't find my copy of it right now. They might be able to help you out if you've any questions etc.

There are discrimination laws out there which you technically should be protected under, but there's always the thought at the back of your mind that they'll use another reason not to hire you if they think that they'll get caught out on the discrimination on grounds of disability part.

I know how you feel about employers not wanting to touch a person with a disability of any kind and to be honest I generally choose not to mention my disability unless I know the organisation is receptive to that. It very much is a personal choice.

magic_girl

thanks...

magic_girl

thanks...

all I know is that an employer can fire me if didn't disclose before they hired me if i have to take time off or my work is being affected.

FranknFurter

magic_girl wrote:

thanks...

all I know is that an employer can fire me if didn't disclose before they hired me if i have to take time off or my work is being affected.

Actually thats not entirely true.
An employer can repremant and then *maybe* fire you if there is somthing you did not disclose only if that affects the standard of work you do.

Even then, any employer who has half a brain will discuss the matter with you and try and accomodate your disability. There are many grants and financial incentives available to employers for such reasons.

You are under no obligation to declare anything and for most people with mental health problems this is the preffered option as they feel most mainstream employers will judge them solely on it. In my opinion not disclosing is best and then, if it effects your ability to do your job, talk about it with your employer.

Whatever O.T. told you that you *have to* is very mis-informed and one I would avoid. A professional should be certain of his or her facts before giving "professional advice".

As for the gaps in the CV, dont draw any attention to them and if an employer asks at the interview you could say somthing like "I had a health condition that needed treating at that time", or somthing.
You arent needing treatment 24/7 so it is technically true

B

Victor

magic_girl wrote:

all I know is that an employer can fire me if didn't disclose before they hired me if i have to take time off or my work is being affected.

Not quite.

You can be fired for lying (about something material) in the application process.

If they don't ask, you aren't telling a lie by not telling them.

Karoma

Well, I'd imagine it is true to a greater extent if you've signed a contract or job application form which asks you to fill in your medical history. They usually finish with (roughly): "I swear this information is the truth to the best of my knowledge. If I lied, I can be fired." Even so, it might be a bit of a P.R. or H.R. nightmare.
Others have suggested: Tell them you were "traveling", etc. to explain the gap. If they don't ask, don't tell.

RainyDay

Amz wrote:

You're really under no obligation to disclose your disability. It's a personal choice. Sometimes it can be easier to disclose it early on in the process, or early on in the job, as if it becomes an issue later on then your employer is aware of it etc.

Are you sure? What about a pre-employment medical where you are explicitly asked a question like 'have you recieved any medical treatment from a consultant in the last 5 years?'?

Amz

To the best of my knowledge there's no law that states you must disclose disability, as such it is a personal choice. It can sometimes be more wise to disclose it if you feel it may affect your work, but unfortunately, this is not an ideal world and an awful lot of employers, in spite of grants etc and discrimination legislation etc, will give preference to people who have not got any form of disability (or those who have not disclosed a disability).

If they don't ask, don't tell, unless you feel it's neccessary.

I have a permanent disability, which I have not received treatment from a consultant for in over five years, so I wouldn't be lying, or not disclosing my disability if I answered "no" to the question you posed above.

Unfortunately a lot of employers will see the disability and not the person and their capabilities, it become all about the negative aspects of the condition, never the fact that you've maybe learned to adapt better, your others skills might be more highly tuned, you might be more motivated to achieve etc.

It's unfortunate that in 2006 we still have to worry about the ignorance and discrimination of others, particularly in the work force.

Like I said OP, maybe talk to someone at AHEAD, they specialise in dealing with people with disabilities trying to find employment etc. and they were a huge help to me this year.

FranknFurter

MagicGirl, as was said, Ahead can be a valuable source of information regarding education and employment.

Specifically, look at this page ->
http://www.aheadweb.org/wiki/DisclosureInfo

Hope that helps.

b

CathyMoran

I had been working for years before I came up against problems. I started in a job where a morning break and lunch was not normally taken (I am a type 1 diabetic and have to eat, take insulin and do blood tests on a regular basis)...in the end I had to get the union involved. I do have to go to the doctor 1-2 times a year but that for the most part is the extent of my illness apart from having low blood sugars which are quite regular but do not last that long. If it does not affect the quality of your work I do not see why you should disclose it.

cathy01

Just a question about medicals.
When you have one by a company , how far are they allowed go.
Brest examination ... for a job packing cheese?
Internal...sorry lads..
Whats the situation?

RainyDay

I'm not aware of any particular restrictions on 'how far', though there are some restrictions in the 2005 Disability Act on the use of genetic information. I guess if they ask you something you feel uncomfortable with, you can always refuse. How that would be interpreted on the doc's report to the employer is another matter.