Well those of you who follow me on twitter already know what happened to me this week. For those who don't and for my twitter followers I will explain properly as I have a few more characters on here.
I enjoyed the training for my new job immensely, the people were kind and I probably would have been fine I just hated the role and I mean I really hated it. I couldn't sell a rain coat to a millionaire in a downpour - I'm not that kinda gal. I hate cold callers myself such a sole destroying job but I was so unhappy at the bank. I thought I'd give it a go but after a few days I realised I wasn't suitable or pushy enough to get anywhere. I had begun to look for another job in the evenings and a few trusted twit friends had been told It wasn't working for me. I hadn't even told Jonathan I wasn't looking forward to that as he worries about me so much.
I was on the top floor with a lot of other people, the view was incredible but its a long way up and often one of the two lifts was out of action. This made me nervous as in a fire I would be in trouble. There was no way I could get down all those stairs , so I had to say something or did I ?.....
If you are disabled this is the big question you ask yourself the minute you apply for a job 'do I tell them?' They always ask - usually its on the application form somewhere between sexuality and religion. So what do you put .....you see your damned if you do and damned if you don't....
Some of you will tell me it doesn't affect your application and that employers are not allowed to discriminate but some of you know different. It's a horrific realisation that it will probably affect it quite badly and if like me you take regular pain killers you would be almost defiantly a liability therefore you probably won't even get an interview. I learnt this the hard way a few years ago when I lost the opportunity to work somewhere I really wanted to because I was honest and admitted I was a chronic pain sufferer. You could see the 'welcome to the firm' grin almost melt in front of my eyes as he made excuses and left the office leaving his secretary to inform me a letter would be in the post. It's very difficult to know precisely what to say I work bloody hard and have worked since I was 17 and am very proud of this. I am unable to walk far that's all. As long as I can stretch my legs often and am able to write things down whilst dealing with customers (memory training) I perform well.
So what do you do ? I don't know the answer to that question yet not 100% I suppose it varies as to the company involved as some are fab at diversity issues. I got the best support I have ever had at the bank that wasn't the reason I left. But unfortunately not all companies are as understanding as they were and not forgetting that I became ill whilst working for them (not related to my job), so I believe they had a duty of care towards me. I was spoilt in that respect but there were other issues that made me unhappy which in the end out weighed the support I was receiving. This is a decision I do not regret even in the position I am in now.
I was asked if my disability would stop me doing my job when I applied for this position. I answered no as that is the truth - it wouldn't however I was not aware of the location of the office at this point so it was a horrible surprise on my first day. The worry actually made me ill, that and the fact that by then I knew i had made a dreadful mistake - so I spoke to my manager as I had seen a sign to say a fire drill was imminent and told her that I couldn't walk down all those stairs. I was asked why i hadn't told them at interview and I replied I was asked if anything would affect my role and that there was no mention as to the location of the office this appeared to be the correct reply as I was told an evac chair was available.
The following day I was unwell, I had some sort of a tummy upset that I suspect was bought on by worry due to the conversation the previous day and late that afternoon I was told not to return - via my agency as apparently my attendance was not at an acceptable level. I had already decided to leave and I was able to take comfort in that but the day after I had told them about my disability a coincidence? You decide for yourself ........
So I find my self applying for roles again, I'm not upset more relieved - Jon has been great and we will manage we have worked on my CV and signed up to a few agencies. I have emailed a lot of applications and I'm sure I will find something. I will not take just anything this time though I will hang out for the one position that I will be happy in. Ideally it would be local and supportive and I will perform well for them. I have to be happy at work at the end of the day you spend more hours at work than at home so its really important to be happy and settled. I have NVQs in customer service a brilliant work ethic and within me a wealth of experience someone out there will give me a chance and for that I will reward them with loyalty and honesty.
My twitter followers have again kept me going this week. The support and encouragement I have received has been fab and at times overwhelming thank you from the bottom of my heart, so many times in the past I was unwell, lonely and in pain. I was desperate for a chat or a friendly word unfortunately twitter was not available then but it should have been, life would have been so much better.
My best friends in my iPhone are as always fab
I've learnt a lot this week x
Sorry to hear of this Clare.A lot of it is to do with the job market,so may people etc.You are right, they used attendance as an excuse.I worked for a Multi national many years ago.Recruitment policy changed direction as often as the wind.Firsit would be hire young people when times are busy eventually when the slack times come there 'll be natural wastage, thru girls having kids,getting married lads getting bored with the work & moving on, ultimately they were all young enough to seek other employment.Then the pit falls appeared no shows after pay day ,a very important day product shipping,
ReplyDeleteno shows on 1st night shift cycle, production losses. Then the cycle changed,employ older people more reliable good workers receptive to workplace change.As the workforce agesthey become ill the company has to pay sick leave employ temps costs rise, cycle reverts to the young.I've seen this happen,I was directly responsible for about 120 people. I had a good working relationship with the majority of them. I'd never advise them to make their medical histories available to the company, even tho I was on staff.As far as I was concerned,that was their own personal business,if it didn't impair their ability to do the job or create a health & safety issue i saw no need.If you can do the job with a disability your courage is to be applauded not find a mickey mouse reason to dismiss.Personally I believe that if i'm sure any health issues I have don't impede my ability then that's enough,after all whatever a doctor diagnoses,he can't predict how you feel while you're doing your job.It was their loss and definitely your gain Clare you found out early what cretins they were