TALKING TO AN EMPLOYER

You may want to talk about your disability with an employer, for instance when you graduate or for summer work.

Why disclose a disability to an employer?

The main reason you might want to declare your disability to an employer is so that they can make adjustments to support you - like flexible working hours, modified equipment like a screen reader, or physical adjustments to your place of work. There is usually money available to employers to help with the costs of this, and they have a legal obligation to provide reasonable adjustments. They also have the same obligation to make adjustments during the application process and at interviews.

You might also want to disclose your disability to explain certain life experiences, or gaps in your CV. The employer should take this into consideration. Another reason to disclose your disability is that it might give you the opportunity to show yourself in a positive light, and highlight particular skills you have developed or learning experiences you have had.

Some employers have certain schemes in place for disabled people, like offering work experience opportunities and having support schemes to help you stay in work. Some of these employers also offer guaranteed interviews to disabled people if they meet the requirements in the job advert. Look out for “Disability Confident” employers who have committed to this scheme.

In certain industries, employers have to do certain health and safety assessments or “fitness to practice” tests. In some cases, certain disabilities may mean it is unsafe for you to do certain jobs, but employers still have an obligation to make adjustments and support you in your employment if it is possible.

You might not want to disclose your disability because you are worried they will judge you, or discriminate against you. This is illegal, and you can make complaints against employers that you think have done this under the Equality Act, or against individuals in your organisation to HR.

Another reason you might not want to disclose your disability is because you want to keep things private and not let your colleagues know. If you think you might benefit from adjustments, you can speak to your employer’s HR department to get those adjustments put into place and ask them to keep your details private.

You may also not want to disclose your disability because it does not affect you in your employment.

It is your choice whether or not you want to disclose your disability to an employer, but remember that employers have legal obligations to support you in your employment if you do.

Why disclose a disability?

How and when to disclose a disability to an employer

You can disclose your disability at any stage in your employment, from application to when you’re in work. It should not matter when you disclose your disability (apart from adjustments cannot be put into place if your employer does not know you need them).

In some cases, you may want to disclose on the application (for instance, if you would like to explain a gap in your CV). If you need adjustments during the application process, you should be able to reach out to HR in advance (most job adverts will have the details of how to do this).

Many job applications include an equal opportunities form. This is so the employer can track who is applying to jobs, and if applicants from certain groups are more or less likely to get a job with them. These forms are dealt with by the HR department, and are not seen by the person who will interview you.

Sometimes, people choose to disclose their disability at an interview. This should not be a problem as employers have to treat you fairly, however, it may come as a surprise and move the focus of the interview towards questions about your disability rather than your skills at the job. Some people find this kind of conversation easier and prefer it to writing to a HR department, however, others may find this kind of focus in an interview stressful.

You may prefer to disclose your disability once you’ve started working, so you can be absolutely sure it doesn’t affect or distract from your application. You would usually speak to your manager or HR department in this situation. You may also want to speak to your colleagues if you want them to understand your disability, or you may want to ask your employer to keep things private.

How and when to disclose

More resources on disability and employment

Remploy provides details on disclosing your disability to an employer here.

Disability Rights UK has an article on why you might and might not want to disclose your disability here.

GOV.UK has a page listing your employment rights here.

The NHS website has a page on work and disability here.

GOV.UK has a list of employers signed up to the Disability Confident scheme here.

Information about the UK Access to Work scheme, which can provide funding for adjustments to help you get into work here.

The Leonard Chesire Change 100 Scheme provides internships for students in their penultimate or final year of university, or who have graduated within the last two years. Details are here.

The Money Advice Service has this page detailing the help that is available to find work if you are disabled.

WorkSmart has a FAQ section on disability rights and employment, found here.

The Equality Advice and Support Service provides details on how the Equality Act affects you, and what to do if you are discriminated against. They also operate a helpline. More details here.

Other resources