Newport woman with epilepsy has had 300 job rejections
Since being diagnosed with epilepsy at 13 years old, Sophie Morgan has tried everything to have a "normal" life, from invasive brain surgery to various medications.
Now age 28 and despite having graduated from University with an undergraduate and masters degree, Sophie has received hundreds of job rejections. She is open about her epilepsy with potential employers, but on stating her condition employment opportunities go silent.
Comments
-
This is why you don't disclose your disability to employers. given there's a crash coming, Sophie is destined to be unemployed till her thirties.
0 -
@Stellar There is a preconceived idea of what epilepsy looks like. I have epilepsy and want my employers to know how to support me if I have a seizure.
If you don't disclose your condition and appear to be "daydreaming" (absence seizure) on the job or worse still, have a tonic seizure in a meeting, this can be shocking for colleagues to witness.
Being educated on epilepsy and employing that person for the skills they bring to the company is surely better.
1 -
So in other words, you're damaned if you disclose, and damned if you don't.
fortunately, remote work exists to reduce those risks.
1 -
@Stellar in a lot of cases, unfortunately yes. This is why we need to raise awareness of epilepsy. Different types of seizures and the understanding that each person's epilepsy presentation is unique.
I've been seizure free for almost 19 years and take high doses of medication. But my seizures could return tomorrow. Thankfully I've had the opportunity to have an awareness session with my team and working from home some days, definitely helps.
It just takes one employer to look at the whole person rather than the disability.
1 -
Meh, I've applied for remote jobs and still got rejected, mainly because due to personal circumstances I can't work evenings or weekends and that's when most of the work is.
0 -
There is hope for people though … I know/ know of 3 people who are Epileptic … one is a Crime Scene Investigator (SOCO of old) with Surrey Police, one is a Ward Sister in an NHS Mental Health facility and the third I'm not sure what he does now, but he is employed.
Sad as it is, it shouldn't be, but it is in this world now, keep battering those doors
@SaraC_Scope … I hope you remain seizure free for many years to come
1 -
@WelshBlue Exactly this! Having epilepsy shouldn't define you. We are all entitled to access work or voluntary opportunities.
I will keep raising awareness and if I can change one person's perception, we've made progress.
Thank you for your kind words.
1 -
As it currently stands the Job Market is the worst it has ever been at the moment, there is literally 1000's of people applying for each job. That means the employers can pick and choose who they want and unfortunately if you have a disability (that you declare) or no work experience you have little to no chance of ever being employed currently.
Also bachelors and masters degree's are pretty much useless these days, you'll find most people who go to university, build up student debt and can barely get a job working minimum hours on basic wage. I've even seen some minimum paying jobs asking for a masters degree to even work for them.
Jobs don't simply exist and unless you're already working, have work experience in the field, have no form of disability then you pretty much have no chance of ever finding a job in the current market at it stands.
2 -
I have level 2 Autism, I keep getting rejected as soon as I declare, despite the alleged illegality of direct discrimination… Most employers say they're "disability confident", except IMO most of 'em don't mean it.
0 -
Indeed.
What gets me, is most employers trot out the "We are a disability confident employer" line on the ads, except in my opinion the majority of them don't mean it, it's just a voluntary part of the Equality Act 2010.
0 -
Why can't you work you work evenings and weekends?.
0 -
This is where most people get confused, to be disability confident and a equality employer doesn't mean you always have to hire someone's who's disabled or if your disabled you have a much greater chance. It means literally that they do have "some disabled employee's already" and disabled people get the same chance as everyone else through the hiring process.
However employers have the right to hire anyone they want, and in today's market they can be really fussy on who they choose. As it stands currently if you no work experience, not currently working in the sector, or have a disability they will simply choose someone else over you.
0 -
You'll also find there's 10,000's of "Ghost" Jobs out there at the moment too. This is where employers want to be seen as hiring to please their board members, however they have no intention to hire anyone and if you apply to these you get an auto reject or never hear back from.
0 -
As sad and as wrong as it is … this pretty much sums it up
I curse the day my daughter was diagnosed with MS but am very glad she was given that diagnosis 6 months after being employed by the Welsh Ambulance Service Trust. Who in that time since, have been nothing but exemplary in their Reasonable Adjustments and support the times she's had to come off the road. Even paying for her to go to Uni for further qualifications to enhance her career for when the time comes she can no longer be a frontline Paramedic
She's under no illusions how lucky she is. A diagnosis six months earlier and they wouldn't have touched her … not fit for purpose springs to mind. But yet is, when already employed ?
Same illness. Different goalposts
@SaraC_Scope if we can only touch the lives of one person in a positive way by raising awareness of an issue … it's time well spent. Frustrating how it shouldn't be down to the layperson but those with the power in Government and Industry. Keep going 😊
1 -
Because I have support workers and currently live in a supported care home.
0 -
Which should, but never will (unfortunately) be ILLEGAL under the Equality Act.
0 -
This is what it means when a company or employers says they are disability confident most of the time, it doesn't mean they want to hire disabled people. It simply means they will put support in place or support you if your disabled and already work for them.
0
Categories
- All Categories
- 16.2K Start here and say hello!
- 7.6K Coffee lounge
- 116 Games den
- 1.8K People power
- 169 Announcements and information
- 25.4K Talk about life
- 6.1K Everyday life
- 398 Current affairs
- 2.5K Families and carers
- 884 Education and skills
- 2K Work
- 597 Money and bills
- 3.8K Housing and independent living
- 1.2K Transport and travel
- 665 Relationships
- 1.6K Mental health and wellbeing
- 2.6K Talk about your impairment
- 882 Rare, invisible, & undiagnosed conditions
- 943 Neurological impairments and pain
- 2.3K Cerebral Palsy Network
- 1.3K Autism and neurodiversity
- 41.2K Talk about your benefits
- 6.2K Employment & Support Allowance (ESA)
- 20.4K PIP, DLA, ADP & AA
- 9.3K Universal Credit (UC)
- 5.4K Benefits and income