Can we tick the disabled box?

[jenny29]

Sorry, I'm still unclear - how long does the DDA apply for?

[Guest user]

Cherub, i am glad to here you are feeling good about what you have decided to do. I still have my job 'open' for me but really dread the thought of returning, i know they won't be able to handle the new me that has come out of my BC experience, but i have a few months to think about it all. thanks for sharing :0) x

Alice, thank you so very much for the explanation, i had such a strange typ of job before cancer i was an office/facilities manager for a tlelvision studio and did so much, i have heights training to go on roofs, and scissor lift licenece i know i won't be up to doing that sort of thing if i return but as i said to Cherub, i have another 6 months before i have to decide. Yhanks for the links

rhian xxx

[aliceblue]

Hi everyone, I work in HR. The Disability Discrimination Act (DDA)was amended to include employees with cancer a few years ago. You no longer have to demonstrate that cancer has an effect on your ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities.

You are protected against unfair treatment in the workplace, from the moment of diagnosis.

The DDA also covers employees who have been diagnosed with cancer in the past, even if they haven't had treatment or symptoms for years.

If an employer is a two tick employer (positive about disabled people - you usually see this on job adverts) if you declare that you are disabled and meet minimum criteria on person specification you should be invited to interview.

A lot of employers/managers don't realise that cancer is covered by the DDA, but there have been cases where employees have made and won claims. Things like the charter are helpful as they can be really practical. Also "Access to Work" funding can be applied for if you need any adaptations/equipment to do your job http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/DisabledPeople/Employmentsupport/WorkSchemesAndProgrammes/DG_4000347, although to be honest most of the time no equipment is needed just lots of common sense, and willingness to make things work. Love Alice x

[cherub]

Hi Rhian,

I was offered the job in early Dec 2007 and they said they didn't want me to start until the January because it would give them 6 weeks to get all the training etc in place, also it was a college so they had the holidays coming up.

Anyway, I was supposed to do a week's induction at the main campus before being sent to the director I was to be working for at another building. The woman who was managing me didn't have a clue (and didn't want to know)and there was no training on offer. She also offloaded me to the other office after a day and a half. I had no computer or printer so couldn't do any work, I was also in a room with a huge copier that was in constant use by tutors. The woman manager was only interested in the fact her daughter was about to give birth at any time in the following week. Every time I tried to talk to her she just snapped "I can't discuss this in front of the office". As every day passed I felt I was being more and more undermined and my fragile confidence was collapsing.

I left after a month and was invited to a grievance meeting. When I put my points forward, the woman manager said "well we didn't know you would need any support as you were an experienced administrator". I just thought it was shocking she could say that, given the fact they knew I was in remission from cancer and I had been so honest and up front with them during the interview. She made it seem as if I had been signed off with the flu.

I decided at that point I would never work for anybody again unless I had no option and I am now my OH's business partner.I handle the admin for the business, attend meetings with clients and study p/t to be a copywriter. 1 afternoon per week I do voluntary work in admin for a homeless charity and through that have been asked if I'd be interested in assisting with getting a programme of simple cookery lessons off the ground for men who have managed to get into housing after being homeless. In my spare time I'm doing 2 websites for myself (work experience projects).

I think the bad experience with that job made me realise I should be doing something else with myself, so in that respect it did me a favour. It was very upsetting at the time though and for a few weeks after I was having panic attacks and was bursting into tears. I now feel very lucky in what I am doing, not earning a vast amount of money in my own right but paying the bills which is all that matters really.

[Guest user]

cherub was it a disaster because you feel you have changed with everything, i dread the thought of going back ( i don't have to think of it for anothe 6 months at the mo) but i just know i have changed so much

r x

[cherub]

When I was applying for jobs I left the disabled box blank, but I wrote underneath that I came under the umbrella of the DDA on account of my health issues. This was because most of the forms I filled in asked you to declare how much time you had off sick in the past year or so and at that point I was still having Herceptin.

I took up a new post in Jan 2008, but it was a disaster so I am now s/emp.

[Guest user]

thank you June x

[June_BCC]

Hi

I have attached a link to Breast Cancer Care's publications on the Employment Charter.

http://www.breastcancercare.org.uk/healthcare-professionals/publications/financial-and-practical-adv...

kind regards
June, moderator

[Guest user]

I understand that you disability status is for the min of 3 years post diagnosis, its cancer that gives you disability status not the treatment as i understand it. The fact that you can't get life insurance post cancer is my yard stick. Lymphodema and the risks involved are for life. I am trying to find out as much as i can about the disability status so will feed back any info i find out

rhian x

[Guest user]

i'm also interested in finding out about this. I work in the public sector and when i return to work don't want to go back fulltime at least until my son finishes school in 5 years. I know we are initially covered by the disability at work act and they have to make reasonable adjustments following treatment but would like to know if this continues through hormone treatment? I feel as i am the only person who does my job in the whole of my local authority i may be under some pressure to return to fulltime hours but i beleive juggling a high pressure job and being a single mum is half of the reason i'm here in the first place.
Sorry i'm unable to answer your original question swanie.

[Daisy_do]

I was a teacher too and just dont have the energy for the classroom now and so I applied to NHS and tried not ticking and ticking but have heard nothing from 6 applications. I know they are so slow as I worked for a while with NHS Professionals as flexi as I really wanted to support others still but like the public sector so slow at recruitment process.

There seems to be a numbers game on so I think tick the box and at least it should get you an interview and foot in the door so to speak.

Good luck with the job hunt and good luck with all you do. xxxx

[Guest user]

It's true that if you meet the criteria for the job you are guarenteed an interview. Ticking the disabled box is a matter for you, it sounds as though bc has affected you both emotionally and physically so it sounds like it's an appropriate thing to do.

[swanie]

Hi I need some advice. I am filling in application forms for work, mainly in the public sector. I used to teach but I have felt I need to change, I just do not have the energy or patience anymore. Somewhere in the back of mind I remember hearing that you can ticked the diabled box. This has the benefit of almost guarenteeing you an interview if you meet minimum requirements. Is this the case? I do not suffer form any major physical impairment apart from mild lymphodema and nerve damage from surgery. My treatment concluded just under 2 years ago. However my confidence is at a low ebband anything that may help move me forward would be an asset.

thanks Jacqui