Disability status at job interview

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Hello. I have applied for a part-time job and have been told that I am very likely to get an interview. All good so far.
I had cancer in 2017 which was treated by a large surgery and I have had no recurrence.
The prospective employer has a policy of guaranteed interviews for disabled candidates. The agent who put me forward for the role is aware of my historical cancer diagnosis and asked whether I would consider myself to have a disability. I replied "No", as my treatment ended in 2017 and the only enduring after-effect on my work is occasional fatigue. I feel I would be cheating someone else if I were to describe myself as disabled, especially as the new role is part-time and I anticipate being able to manage my fatigue around those hours. I seek part-time work as I do not believe I could now work full-time.
The question of disability may come up at interview. I wonder could you advise me how to speak about this subject?

Thanks,

LR.

  • Hello  

    Thank you for your question. My name is Polly, and I am I work support adviser on the Macmillan support line.

    I wish you the best of luck in this new opportunity. It is good to hear about your recovery from cancer treatment despite major surgery.

    It sounds like this perspective employer a signed up to the Disability Confident Employer scheme.

    This is a government sponsored scheme which guarantees an interview to job candidates who have a disability and identify this on the application form and meet the basic criteria for the role. This scheme is designed to tackle inequality in employment for those with disability.

    The Equality Act 2010 applies to the recruitment process in England Scotland and Wales. The disability Discrimination Act applies in Northern Ireland where different rules about recruitment apply.

    Cancer is a recognised disability under both acts and patients or former patients are protected from disability discrimination.

    Under the Equality Act the employer cannot ask about health during recruitment because this process is about finding the best candidate for a job by focusing on the candidate’s personal qualities, skills and qualifications. It's about creating a level playing field where each candidate is subject to the same selection process making the best candidate easy to identify. In the past it has been found that if a disabled candidate who has suitable qualifications discloses their disability during an interview, then they will not get the job offer.

    If you have gaps in your CV then you may be asked about it in an interview. I suggest you check with the National Careers Service who can advise about explaining gaps  in employment history if they're due to health.

    ACAS clarify how information about disability is used during recruitment. Usually if disability information is requested it is for monitoring purposes and is not information that is available to the recruitment manager.

    Polly 

    Work Support Advisor
    Remember you can also speak with the Macmillan Support Line team of experts. Phone free on 0808 808 0000 (7 days a week, 8am-8pm) or by email