Disability Disclosure in the Workplace

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I've been a full time student all my life and for the first time, I am starting to apply for jobs. On the applications, there is an EEO form that it recommended that I fill out and sign if I have a disability. Should I fill it out? I'm scared that I will be passed up because of my autism and have a feeling it will be an issue in the work force.

Thoughts?

There is no easy anwser. It really does seem to be a matter of luck. Peoples experiences have varied widely. My vocational rehab said do not check it.

I would not disclose, at all, that I have any sort of disability before you are offered a job, or even after you've started the job.

Unfortunately, in this political climate, people who disclose disabilities, except in rare cases, are passed over for jobs.

I would enhance the "normality" in yourself, and sublimate the "disabled" aspects of yourself, when involved in job hunting.

A lot of Aspies online tell me not to mention AS on application forms or at interviews.

Work is the thing in life where my AS/ADHD affects me the most. I prefer the boss to be aware of my difficulties, so that I could be given a bit of leeway or something. When the boss employs me thinking I am 100% "normal", that feels really scary. It's a bit like going to a swimming-pool and they think you are a strong swimmer but really you're not at all, and they wonder why you are struggling and drowning, they may not help you because you told them you could swim. Other swimmers may ridicule you, or may think you are seeking some sort of attention.

Based on what your described, an EEO statement isn't a requirement to comply. If you look carefully, you should see a statement that stating anything within the EEO form is "optional." Remember also, that anything you state on an employment application is voluntary. These two facts allow you to simply leave the EEO form empty. If you are asked about it (you very likely won't be asked), claim that you "didn't understand" what was expected in your answer.

Now, you can always inform your employer about your autism when you choose to do so. But, you won't be protected under the federal Americans with Disabilities Act until after your employer has been informed of any disability you have. So, IF you suspect things might go bad for you in the future at your workplace (or you need professional support in the workplace), discuss your disability with your employer after you are employed. This will give them official notice (after which they can't terminate your employment because of disability alone) and you gain the protections that the ADA requires of all employers.

So, it is really a matter of timing. But, unless you need professional supports now, there is no need to notify your potential employer (or current employer) about any of your disabilities so soon.

Of course, I amn't a licensed lawyer, so if you have doubts, you might want to discuss the matter with a lawyer.

I've only tried disclosure once, after I had started the job. I was actually diagnosed once I had started the job and decided to disclose because I was having difficulty with sensory problems and integrating socially.

It just made things worse. None of the accommodations I asked for were met, despite being assured that they would be and I became even more excluded socially. I ended up only getting assigned the tasks that no one else was prepared to do or otherwise left idle. They obviously wanted rid of me but were too scared to sack me due to the disability laws in the UK (or their lack of understanding thereof) and basically ignored me until I left of my own accord.

To be fair, I didn't do a great job of disclosing as I didn't really really understand how to go about it, I just dumped it on them and expected things to change but that doesn't justify how I was treated.

However, I plan on disclosing in the future because I have never been able to maintain employment in the past and can think of a couple of occasion where disclosing would definitely have saved my job (wasn't an option back then). I also have several aspie friends who have disclosed successfully and feel that I need to find an environment where I can do so otherwise I will never be able to support myself (legally, at least).

My advice would be to see what happens if you don't disclose, get a crappy job that you don't care about and won't look too bad to a future employer if you do lose it (toilet cleaner, telesales etc). If you are able to maintain employment without disclosure then do so.

If you do find yourself having difficulty then consider disclosing if you think that it will be met sympathetically (or do it anyway, I think it takes practice to get right) and consider contacting an autism charity in order to find sympathetic employers and to ensure that you go about disclosure in the right way.

Things are getting better for us aspies. There are now employers who consider aspie traits desirable (usually in high tech fields such as programming and engineering) but you need the best qualifications available to make that work; consider going back and doing another degree in such a field (make sure you smash it into orbit if you do, as a previous career student you may have already done so) before seeking employment.

If you can get away without disclosing then do it, if not, then get help from a third party when you do.