Published on 12, July, 2020
Hi.
I've been trying for the last 20 odd years to get a part time job in retail or admin, but been having problems, every time I declare that I'm disabled and have Asperger's, I get told no, despite the illegality of outright discrimination.
Anyway I applied for 2 jobs in the Meadowhall Centre this week, but haven't heard from either, and I recently signed up to a local disability employment Charity called Aspire Sheffield which has an eBay shop and does placements for people with disabilities
The other problem is that II#m 43 this year so my age is against me.
Does anyone else have these problems?
Hi there,
I can relate in regards to the age thing, it's so annoying when I see an amazing opportunity or programme, only to read or discover that you've to be 18 -24 year's old, it's so annoying because when you reach 25 your disability doesn't suddenly disappear, however I suspect it has something to do with their funding as sometimes, funding is targeted at particular demographics.
In regards to being told no, I know how fustrating this can be, could I ask whether you're told no at the application stage or whether you're invited to interviews? If you're not invited to interviews, I would double check that you met the person specification, if you don't, then unfortunately it's not covered by the Equality act.
One thing that could help is asking for a work trial instead of an interview, I've also read that you could ask for the interview questions on paper and to respond on paper or using a computer (like an exam), I haven't tried this though, but I've read that it would be regarded as a reasonable adjustment.
Some good advice I was given by the National careers advice service was to check out www.base-uk.org
I'd also say from personal experience that anything can happen, I applied to volenteer for a project which a national charity for people with learning disabilities was setting up in the area where I live, unfortunately the project didn't go ahead, but the volenteer coordinator was that impressed by my CV, she remembered me and when they partnered with an organisation, she contacted me to see if I'd be interested in an apprenticeship.
I'd suggest volenteering, admin and retail are very competitive sector's, I'd also suggest looking at volenteering, apprenticeships and the NHS, there's almost always admin vacancies in the NHS.
I love the idea of asking for a trial period instead of an interview. That could be great for a friend of mine. I'm going to mention it to him. Thanks. And I love how you got your job, or the offer of the apprenticeship. I don't know if you took it. I love your other suggestions as well. I don't need them but I can see they're great suggestions, and I can pass them on to a few of my friends at my autism group. Thank you.
That’s a great story. I’m sorry the job came to an end as it sounds like it was wonderful, I would love a job like that. But I think it’s because something even better is in store for you. I agree that, sometimes, something truly wonderful can come from something small and that’s why it’s wise to be kind and friendly to everyone we meet as we never know when it will turn into something marvellous ~ besides which, it’s nice to be friendly.
Volunteering at the local hospital is a great idea as well. There’s an inspirational book (can’t remember which one off hand) where he talks about a guy who sent off hundreds of job applications and got no luck so one day, he decided to go and help out in his favourite clothes store, which would be his ideal job. He just went in there for a few hours everyday and tidied up all the shelves etc, which enabled the sales staff to concentrate on customers. By the end of the week, I think it was, he had landed himself his dream job
With such a beautiful attitude as yours, you’ll never go far wrong. Where attention goes, energy flows, and your attention is in the right place, so things will always work out for you in the end. Are you working now?
Thank you :)
it was an apprenticeship in a local NHS hospital, the charity volenteer coordinator was acting in a consultancy role for a vacancy they were creating and she contacted me to see if I'd be interested, it took a significant amount of time, months before I started, but I loved every minute of it, my role was technically a housekeeper, I loved the fact that people came to me with their problems, no matter whether they were staff or patients and I was able to solve them or help to solve them, I was employed for 18 months which sadly ended last month
My experience may be rare or I might have had luck on my side, but it just goes to show, sometimes, amazing things can come from something small, I had never met the coordinator in person and we only spoke over the phone a few time's when I applied for the volentrary position, before this I was unemployed for sometime.
Also another suggestion I have is to volenteer in your local NHS Hospital, There's plenty of opportunities and I remember one person who volunteered for a short period (less than a month), she applied for a Healthcare assistant position and got the job.