The benefits of being open about your disability with an employer

Only you can decide whether you’ll be open with the employer. We understand that it’s a nerve-wracking decision, but we encourage you to look at the benefits of being open and the possible impacts of not informing an employer of your disability.

In this article shared by MyPlus Students' Club, we’ll cover:

• The benefits of informing your employer about your disability
• What you might miss out on by not being open
• Take confidence in knowing you're not alone
• Tips for talking to your employer about your disability

We’ll also provide practical recommendations from recruiters and advice from disabled graduates who have been successful in their job applications. We hope these perspectives will help you feel more comfortable being open and land your dream job.

Employers are looking to recruit the best and brightest talent in the industry. You should be able to feel confident they will support you throughout the application process if you’re open about your disability and request adjustments or support.

One of the main reasons for being open with an employer is to access the adjustments you need to work comfortably.

Even before you start a new job, you may benefit from adjustments to be able to demonstrate your true potential during the assessment process.

James Phoenix, trainee solicitor at Linklaters, says:

“I was open about my disability during each stage of the application process. I knew my disability was going to affect me at work, so it seemed best to start off on the right foot with total clarity. "

"There was also a pragmatic point in that my slower-than-average handwriting and occasional need for short-notice access to a toilet could potentially affect my performance in assessment centres, so I wanted to make sure that prospective employers were forewarned and that this was accounted for.”

It’s important to remember that you know how your condition impacts you, and only you can know the adjustments you need to demonstrate your ability.

Examples of adjustments you could request are as follows:

• Additional time to complete assessment tasks
• Rest breaks during the interview and assessment centre stages
• Use an interpreter
• Use of assistive technology (such as voice amplification apps, larger computer monitors and more)

Recruiters are experienced in helping disabled candidates get the adjustments they need to support you through the hiring process and beyond. Make sure to tell them about your disability and what you need to perform well during the assessment ahead of time.

Being open about your disability gives you control over what information you choose to share. It also affects how your disability is perceived by others, making it a great opportunity to actively shape how your disability is understood.

Managing your disability every day has meant you’ve developed unique skills and strengths. By identifying these, you can draw upon them in a competency-based interview.

Steve Bone, Careers Consultant at Leeds University, says:

“Research thoroughly and you’ll find progressive employers whom you can be open about your disabilities with. Employers are looking to recruit individuals with diverse skills and experiences, so be sure to provide examples of the abilities you have developed through managing disability.”

Remember that you’ve developed skills and strengths due to living with your disability. Employers are looking for candidates with the skills you have – problem-solving skills, effective time management, and resilience. All of these skills are incredibly valuable to employers because they show you can handle challenges and get things done.

Emma Bullen, LLB Law Student at LSE, says: “When asked questions about challenges I have had and how I have overcome them, using examples relating to my stammer has always gone down well with employers. 

"Being open with employers about your disability and giving examples of how you manage it, enables you to demonstrate the positive attributes you’ve developed as a result of your condition.

"Showing that you don’t let it affect the way that you live your life presents you as a determined person; it also enables the employer to find out more about you as a person."

Your disability is part of you. Rather than trying to hide it, being open about your disability with an employer helps you be yourself and show them your talents and abilities.

Ricky Vachhani, Risk Consultant at EY, says:

“Initially, I was quite tentative about my speech impediment (during the interview) as I didn’t know how people would react. However, I have found that by telling people from the outset of meeting them that I do have a speech impediment really helps to clear the air when I do stammer. "

"In addition, I always mention that the best way for the client/other person to respond is just by giving me enough time to finish, which helps to manage their expectations and also reduces the pressure on my speech.

I’ve learnt that if I believe in the quality of what I’m saying then, actually, it doesn’t matter if I take 20 seconds longer to say it, or my speech breaks up in between. It’s definitely what I say and not how I say it.”

Your disability may mean you work differently. How do you explain this to an employer? Being able to identify how your affects you shows that you’re self-aware. Just as it’s important to recognise your strengths, you also need to understand the challenges you may face because of your disability.

Explaining exactly how you work differently to an employer helps them account for the differences in your approach. But that’s not all – it also means they focus on the valuable skills you bring and the quality of your work.

When considering whether to be open with your employer, it's worth thinking about both the benefits and the potential drawbacks.

Being open about your disability allows you to access a tailored support package for your interview. If the employer doesn’t know what you need, they won’t be able to accommodate you and might not be able to accurately assess your strengths.

If you don’t access the adjustments available, for example, during the online assessment process, you may be filtered out early.

Competition is fierce, and every applicant is keen to show the employer that they’re the best choice for the role. If you aren’t open about your disability, you won’t be able to access the adjustments and support you need to showcase your true potential during the interview process. This may result in the role going to someone else.

Please note: Employers aren’t obliged to re-interview you if you let them know you have a disability after your application is rejected.

Making a late request for adjustments may delay or even postpone to the interview or assessment, which may cause disruptions for you and the employer. By being open at the beginning, the process is likely to be smoother, giving the employer time to accommodate your needs.

Being open about your disability and the adjustments you need is important because, without them, you might not be able to thrive in your new role should you be hired.

Also, by telling them about your disability, you may be able to get disability employment support through schemes like Access to Work.

It’s important to be open about any adjustments you might need with the employer as early in the process as possible.

Take some comfort in knowing that you’re not alone. More than 16% of students in the UK have a disability or long-term health condition. As a result, employers do tend to have experience discussing disability and providing support and adjustments to make sure you can showcase your true potential.

Being open about your disability isn’t easy. However, employers want you to feel like you can be yourself at work. That’s why it’s a good idea to be honest about who you are and how you work best from the very start of the process.

• Think about what adjustments you can get by being open about your disability, both during the application process and if you get the role
• Think about the positive traits and skills you’ve developed by navigating life with a disability, as they are skills employers look out for
• Being open from the start means you can be yourself
• Think through your needs and the impact not having adjustments could have on your performance
• Think about what being open with your employer looks like
• If it helps, practice being open with your family and friends to build your confidence about discussing your disability with others
• Being open with an employer means you might be able to get access to disability employment support like Access to Work

Being open about your disability can be difficult, but being open gives you access to the adjustments and support you need to showcase your true potential to the employer. After all, they want to meet the real you to see whether you’re a good fit for their organisation.

This article has been republished with the permission of MyPlus Students’ Club.