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Advice re job interview please.

Lis

Hi,

I’m Lis and I was late diagnosed last year at the age of 54.

I have a job interview tomorrow and I’m wondering if I should disclose my diagnosis?

I’ve worked in healthcare for 25 years and am currently working in a bullying culture environment. I’m very quiet and enjoy getting on with my work, which over the last 3 years I’ve been bullied and am currently being bullied by 2 colleagues. One of them has found out my personal phone number and has passed it to the other and I’ve received a not so nice text. I reported this to my manager and he has been supportive however, this hasn’t stopped them and they appear to be getting worse.

I have an interview tomorrow and am needing advice about disclosing. Should I disclose at interview stage or should I once I’ve been offered the job or shouldn’t I disclose at all? My thinking is should disclose at interview stage because I feel it is the honest thing to do, nothing to be ashamed about and neurodiversity shouldn’t be a taboo subject. If I don’t get the job then I feel I wouldn’t want to work for a company that doesn’t support diversity and inclusion.

Thank you 

  • in reply to Lis

    Congrats! Sounds as if your courage paid off. I hope you’ll settle in just fine! :)

  • in reply to Lis

    Well done. They offered you the job anyway, so it was not a factor. This was my point, they will judge if they want you and make some accomodation if they do.

    I hope it goes well.

  • in reply to Lis

    WOOT WOOT! This is fantastic news! Thank you for sharing!

  • Thank you all for your helpful advice.

    i decided to disclose diagnosis as I felt safe and comfortable. I’ve been offered the job and the manager has said if I need any help transitioning between jobs to contact him. I feel I have been very fortunate to be able to disclose and not to be defined by my disability.

    I’m hoping this job will go well.

  • Hi - congratulations on your diagnosis and welcome to the community.

    There's some advice on this subject here, which you might find helpful.

    It includes further insights from other autistic people, and lists some pros and cons of disclosing your autism and needs at various different stages of the recruitment process:

    NAS - Deciding whether to tell employers you are autistic

    I wish you all the best with your interview today! :) 

  • Lis said:
    I wouldn’t want to work for a company that doesn’t support diversity and inclusion.

    If that’s the case, the only way to find out if you’d like to work for them is to ask about this or disclose your diagnosis. But you are not obliged to. The real question is, if you want to ask for any accommodations. If so, disclosing your diagnosis would be crucial. If not, you’re free to decide later on based on how safe you feel around there.

  • Disclosing your diagnosis for an interview is definitely something only you can determine whether it is a safe idea or not. Personally I have disclosed to some employers and others not. It just depends on the vibe I get from the interviewer.

      is right, the best reason FOR disclosing is for accommodations, which is something that you can ask for later in the process as well.

    The best reason FOR NOT disclosing is that there is still discrimination against disabled folk out there. The worst part is that it is practically impossible to prove whether or not you were denied a job based on your disability.

    One advice I can give is that if you decide you don’t wish to directly state you are Autistic, maybe ask about it. Most interviewers end interviews with the question “Do you have any questions for us?” Maybe consider asking them if they have staff with disabilities or if they are willing to give accommodations to employees with disabilities. That’s an indirect way of disclosing, but it would still give you the answer you’re looking for.

    I am so sorry to hear about the bullying. That’s ridiculous that they are invading your private space by harassing you by text. Save the text messages if you can stomach it, HR might want to see that. 

  • I don't believe there is any requirement to disclose anything. You are not ill.

    It will not change your skills or experience, they should judge you for who you are and whether you can do the job.

    The only reason to say anything is if you would like some accommodations, but I would save that for later. See if you get through the first interview first. See if you like the place. An interview is a two way process.

    You should keep the discussion to what you can do and what you can bring, rather than any issues you have. If they are any good they can see what you are like. An interview is a high pressure situation so you will naturally find it hard to hide everything.

    I'm sorry you are having trouble. If your manager is not enough, involve HR. It may be hard, but they should take it seriously. If nothing else you may then have grounds for constructive dismissal if you leave.

  • Sorry to read about your bullying situation, really makes me mad these kind of things. Assume that’s why you are looking at a new job? It’s a shame if you are being forced out for that reason. 
    not sure about disclosing I guess it would depend on the company, the people you are speaking to etc . I would hope people would be open minded but that’s not always been my experience. I take your point around wanting to work for a supportive employer.