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When applying for work, allow plenty of time for job applications:
- if an application form is provided, don’t send a CV
- write or type neatly and ask someone to check it for you
- provide as much detail about your work, training and education as you can
- make sure you address each point on the job description, giving examples of how you meet the criteria
- keep a copy of your finished application
Telling an employer about arthritis
The Equality Act limits the circumstances under which you can be asked health-related questions before you are offered a job. Up to this point, you can only be asked health-related questions to help an employer:
- decide whether they need to make any reasonable adjustments for you to take part in the selection process
- decide whether you can carry out a function that is essential to the job
- monitor diversity among people making applications for jobs
- take positive action to assist disabled people
If you are asked questions about your health in circumstances other than those described above and feel that you have been discriminated against see Dealing with discrimination.
Your employer will be allowed to ask health-related questions once you have been offered a job.
There are several good reasons for telling your employer about your arthritis:
- if you do not disclose a disability, it may be harder to explain its positive aspects later on
- disclosing your arthritis may help to explain gaps in your education or employment
Reasonable adjustments
Another advantage of being open about your condition is that employers must help you to get to an interview. They are required by law to take reasonable steps to change how and where an interview takes place, if you need help.
These could include giving you a choice about the time of the interview and making sure the employer’s premises are accessible.
