Looking For a Job
If you require extra help, a Disability Employment Adviser (DEA) at your local Jobcentre can help you find a job or gain new skills and tell you about your options.
As well as referring you to a specialist work psychologist, if appropriate, or carry out an ‘employment assessment’, asking you about your skills and experience and what kind of roles you’re interested in. You can speak to a DEA at your local Jobcentre.
There are also programmes and grants available to help you in to work that include:
Work And Health Program
To help you find a job, and get support when you start work
https://www.gov.uk/work-health-programme
Residential Training
To give you work experience and training
https://www.gov.uk/browse/disabilities/work
Access to Work
Money towards a support worker or for the cost of equipment or travelling to work
https://www.gov.uk/access-to-work
Applying For a Job
When applying for a job, an employer isn’t normally allowed to ask you questions about your health or disability before they offer you a job.
They can only ask you about this for very limited reasons, for example to:
- Make ‘reasonable adjustments’ – e.g. if you need a large print version of a test
- Decide if you can do something that is an essential part of the job
If you’re treated unfairly when you apply for a job, you can contact the Equality Advisory Support Service (EASS).
You may also be able to take a complaint to an employment tribunal – you have to do this within 3 months of the discrimination happening.
Questions About Health
Section 60 of the Equality Act 2010 states that employers should not ask candidates about their health prior to offering them a job or including them on a shortlist.
This includes asking them to disclose a disability and asking about previous levels of sickness absence in an application form.
Not only could such questions raise an inference of discrimination, but previous levels of sick leave are not an accurate indicator of future sickness absence.
Disability Rights
It’s against the law for employers to discriminate against you because of a disability.
The Equality Act 2010 protects you and covers areas including:
- Application forms
- Interview arrangements
- Aptitude or proficiency tests
- Job offers
- Terms of employment, including pay
- Promotion, transfer and training opportunities
- Dismissal or redundancy
- Discipline and grievances
Reasonable adjustments in the workplace
An employer has to make ‘reasonable adjustments’ to avoid you being put at a disadvantage compared to non-disabled people in the workplace.
For example, adjusting your working hours or providing you with a special piece of equipment to help you do the job.
Redundancy and retirement
You can’t be chosen for redundancy just because you’re disabled. The selection process for redundancy must be fair and balanced for all employees.