When looking for a job should I disclose a disability

It's not really as simple as 'you have privilege' or 'you don't have privilege' though. You can be in a position of privilege as a straight person, a white person, and/or a man, and also lack the privileges that come with being wealthy or able-bodied.

Taking myself as an example: I experience sexism (because I'm a woman), ableism (because I'm disabled), and anti-LGBTQ discrimination (because I'm asexual). But I don't experience transphobia (because I'm cis) or racism (because I'm white) so for those particular things I *am* privileged, i.e., not experiencing discrimination.

I would strongly caution you to not disclose at the application stage. Unfortunately I have been a victim of discrimination because of my autism and my need for reasonable adjustments.

I never thought it would happen to me, but it has. It's horrible. I've had to get a lawyer and it's going to the employment tribunal.

Once you have a job offer there's usually a form given to you where it asks if you have any health conditions or disabilities. Make sure you have the job offer in writing, then submit this form (this will usually go to HR who will keep this confidential). 

Once you are in the job - this is really, really important in case you face a situation like mine - write an email or letter to your line manager or HR asking for reasonable adjustments if you need them and saying you need them because you have autism. Having them confirmed in writing is really important if your employer does not keep their word. Your line manager agreeing in person with you to implement them isn't strong enough evidence.

The charity Scope has a really good article on this topic giving templates where you can ask for reasonable adjustments:

www.scope.org.uk/.../reasonable-adjustments-at-work

Steven said:

re

Steven said:

I feel that I'm at a huge disadvantage in the job market as a white, straight, male

Hilarious stuff. The old ones are the best.

I could be wrong I don't know.  It used to be that they made hiring decisions based upon ability.  Now they often advertise something like this: "We hire 60% women, 30% minority, and 10% who qualify as having a disability."   I am not sure what to think of this? It seems like I would need to fall into one of these categories to be considered. Can you Gen Zers tell me what this is about?

🐝 Bees 🐝 (they/them) Autism resources in bio #stoptheshock #NothingAboutUsWithoutUs said:

Who? And what are their qualifications? And to avoid bias it can't be other straight, white, men with a victim complex

This just proves my point.   Why is it that a straight white male automatically has privilege, and to say otherwise would make him an intolerant with a victim complex.   Do you think someone who has autism has privilege of any sort?  This is the era of inclusion, and everybody knows that you get extra points on a job application for stating that you are a racial minority, a gender minority, or have a disability.  I wonder are there any straight white males in this forum who feel that they have white privilege and couldn't use nor think they deserve a little extra help getting a job.

I didn't realise expressing that I presume you to have an honest character and wouldn't want to make a misleading error in phrasing your opinion is a "personal attack" . Would you rather I not presume you to be honest? /gen

never say this to yourself it's been really hard for me to find a job with my disabilities too i have over 10 mh and other disabilities so far only one job accepted me . 

I'm not making a claim, I am relaying my understanding of something that is being discussed.  By all means question the validity of my understanding.

However, you are also intimating that I am hiding or being dishonest or trying to mislead.

Please don't do that.

I trust that most on these pages will know me better than that - but I don't like personal attacks that have ZERO justification - even from swarms of bees.

So no real sources (that you feel confident enough to share) to give credence to your claim. Just how you feel really. You know you're free to express that right? No need to hide it dishonestly. Because you wouldn't want to mislead anyone genuinely seeking the facts that would rely on sources being available, right?

🐝 Bees 🐝 (they/them) Autism resources in bio #stoptheshock #NothingAboutUsWithoutUs said:

What exactly has changed?

My understanding, based on what I am told, from sources whom I consider reliable, balanced, informed and fair.  I have no axe to grind.  I'm simply sharing my understanding.

Unknown said:

It's very real from what I understand from a couple of extremely well informed folk on the matter.

Who? And what are their qualifications? And to avoid bias it can't be other straight, white, men with a victim complex.

Unknown said:

4 years ago, I would probably have agreed with the spirit of your comment, but not now.  Things have changed.

What exactly has changed?

Stephen, It's no joke.  It's very real from what I understand from a couple of extremely well informed folk on the matter.  I know it's hard to keep up these days mate!  4 years ago, I would probably have agreed with the spirit of your comment, but not now.  Things have changed.

I'll proffer a summary of my previous writings and research on this matter - all of which can be found in multiple previous threads on this topic.

No - don't disclose unless there is a practical reason to do so.

Others will disagree, and that's just fine too.

Regards

Number.

I agree bees. You are absolutely right about employers, and this applies to volunteer organisations too, don’t give the real reason for rejection and that this hides real prejudice 

It all depends on whether you consider autism a disability. Autism brings a lot of special talents to a job and sometimes in unexpected ways. Try googling Autistic Salesperson for example and look at the entry on LinkedIn. Look at what you see as negative traits and see if you can think of the positives they would bring to the job as well as any other positive Autistic traits. If you mention all these as positives then you are nit hiding your Autism just describing it.

NAS68689 said:

I feel that I'm at a huge disadvantage in the job market as a white, straight, male

Hilarious stuff. The old ones are the best.

This is a tricky one.  For a long time I had tried to muddle through without declosing beforehand, but so many replies here are saying "no don't disclose it" my experience was I would have to because of being told to "improve at communication skills" in appraisals.  So many jobs combine tasks now, I am well suited to a 'back office' role with a lot of spreadsheet / database / finance work but ‘admin’ is such a broad job description and roles are combined with reception / telephone / customer / public elements and I did not do well at these and clearly never would again and would be vulnerable to PTSD.

I have always been advised to disclose once a job is offered. If they attempt to retract the offer they are breaking the law. I have never found any advantage when I have disclosed earlier on. 

I wouldn't disclose personally at the start, only once you've signed the contract and are in the job. This way you're protected under the employment and disability act whereas in the interview stage there aren't so many protections other than having to ensure the interview is accessible 

I agree- if you don't disclose during the application and interview stage then it totally removes the possibility of them discriminating against you based on disability and lying about it.

It's different if you need accommodations during interviews, because having those enables you to actually show them your best self, but if no accommodation is necessary at that point either then I wouldn't disclose.

Personally I felt disclosing it at the application and interview stage always hindered my employability since ableism is rife and these people are never legally obligated to disclose the real reason they reject you for an application. That's the sort of thing I would hide until I get my foot in the door and bring it up only if I need actual adjustments or if directly asked later once already in the position.