I'm really glad this has come up because it's an issue that comes up with MS
time and again because MS is often invisible and symptoms may not affect
work at all. But MS is variable so if an employee with MS doesn't disclose,
they may have symptoms later on and as Karen said, by that time the employer
may have been 'rubbed up the wrong way'. We take the view that it's a case
of weighing up the pros and cons. I have certainly spoken to people who
feel they've been blatantly discriminated against - ie never being
shortlisted until the MS is left off the application form and then by magic
the interviews come rolling in, so I can understand why people choose not to
disclose. However I do ask if they have thought of how the employer may
react if they find out later on. I think people who call us are often
hoping there is a law which states that if you don't disclose your employer
can't do anything about it which isn't the case.
I look forward to checking out the resources Mike mentions here - I also got
a great handout called 'Strategies for Disclosure' at a conference I found
out about through this forum! I can photocopy it and send it to anyone who
would like a copy.
Deirdre Rusling
Helpline Worker
MS Society of GB & NI
[log in to unmask]
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Wray, Mike [SMTP:[log in to unmask]]
> Sent: 11 December 1998 18:19
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: Disability and employment
>
> Issues like this have been raised at my institution
> recently. There are some excellent articles on this subject
> in the Hobsons Casebook for 1999 (Equal opportunities,
> Disabled Graduates)- the web page address is
> www.hobsons.com. You could also look in 'The Arberry
> Profile' (you can get further info on this by email -
> [log in to unmask]).
> Both publications should be available from your
> University's careers service.
>
> On Fri, 11 Dec 1998 12:34:57 +0000 Claire Dowling
> <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>
> > I was talking to a student today who is considering being assessed
> > to see if he is dyslexic. He asked me a question that I am often
> > asked but do not know the conclusive answer to. Do you have to
> > declare on a job application form if you are dyslexic ?
> > Does any one know the answer? obviously I told him about the DDA and
> > discussed the wider issues of discrimination in employment and that
> > the employer may want to offer support but can not do this if they do
> > not know.
> > Can any one offer an answer as I think this is becoming an
> > increasing issue, particularly for final year students.
> >
> > Claire Dowling
> > Student Adviser, Disabilities and Specific Learning Difficulties
> > University of Teesside
> > Borough Road
> > Middlesbrough
>
> ----------------------------------------
> Mike Wray
> Student Adviser (Disabilities)
> "University of the West of England"
> Email: [log in to unmask]
> Tel: 0117 976 2180
> Minicom: 0117 976 2611
> Internal: ext 2718
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