Guest guest Posted May 25, 2004 Report Share Posted May 25, 2004 Hiya. Well, job applications have changed since ADA was passed. I haven't actually filled out a standard job app since...since...1992 or something; I always end up instead at smaller companies that don't have HR departments and hire on whim, or getting a reference through a personal connection and a lunch interview Yeah, yeah, I'm getting to the point. So, I'm quite far along in the interview process for a position at a mid-sized publicly traded company -- far enough along that the HR guy finally gave me a form to fill out. And there's this whole " we promise it's confidential, we promise not to discriminate, go ahead and tell us about any disability that may require special accommodations " section. I assume this has been around for a while and I've just never had to deal with it before. So...do I tell the truth? To the point that I explain that I'll probably need a task chair (instead of an executive chair) and various lumbar supports? They really CAN'T discriminate in hiring because of this, right? Can I " disclose " that because I need to lay down on the floor from time to time, I really need to be in one those nice offices instead of in a cubicle? (Seriously, I'm thinking about that one -- the issue of real estate hasn't come up yet, but it will...) I know, they really aren't supposed to discriminate and I'm a lucky, lucky, lucky person in that I'm not only the only candidate for the job, they're actually creating a position FOR me specifically. I've just never seen this disclosure thing before and I'm wondering what everyone else does with it. Mystified (with fingers crossed, because I really would like this job, and I am so totally not above using my back as a reason to be assured of an office), Elissa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 26, 2004 Report Share Posted May 26, 2004 JUST My Opinion: Disclose if you are going to need anything. Just be frank, simple, and undramatic about it and leave out all the really gruesome stuff they don't need to know. If they are creating a job for you, it probably means they want to hire you, so I don't see how the need for a special chair would change that. Legally, they CANNOT discriminate based on physical ability and limitations and I don't see why they would in your case. As for the need for an office - Good Luck! Companies are so crazed about office space these days. Go for it, but if you really want the job, is it really a dealbreaker for you to have a cube? Just something to think about... At my work I lay down on the ground in my cubicle. Sure, people can see me and a lot of people still comment on it (though most are used to it), but between the massive disc herniation attack at work and the hunching around for a month earlier this spring, they all know I have back trouble to some extent and I just play it off. It's not really a big deal. Funny thing is, once I was out of the Spinal Closet, everyone is always telling me stories about their various back troubles. Not as dramatic as ours, but very common. In any case, go for it, but be sure that you have thought about whether it would be worth rejecting the position if the HR guy can't make an office happen. Know your non-starters... Good Luck with the negotiations. Pre-emptive Congratulations to you! Jean > Hiya. Well, job applications have changed since ADA was passed. I > haven't actually filled out a standard job app since...since...1992 > or something; I always end up instead at smaller companies that don't > have HR departments and hire on whim, or getting a reference through > a personal connection and a lunch interview > > Yeah, yeah, I'm getting to the point. So, I'm quite far along in the > interview process for a position at a mid-sized publicly traded > company -- far enough along that the HR guy finally gave me a form to > fill out. And there's this whole " we promise it's confidential, we > promise not to discriminate, go ahead and tell us about any > disability that may require special accommodations " section. I assume > this has been around for a while and I've just never had to deal with > it before. > > So...do I tell the truth? To the point that I explain that I'll > probably need a task chair (instead of an executive chair) and > various lumbar supports? They really CAN'T discriminate in hiring > because of this, right? Can I " disclose " that because I need to lay > down on the floor from time to time, I really need to be in one those > nice offices instead of in a cubicle? (Seriously, I'm thinking about > that one -- the issue of real estate hasn't come up yet, but it > will...) > > I know, they really aren't supposed to discriminate and I'm a lucky, > lucky, lucky person in that I'm not only the only candidate for the > job, they're actually creating a position FOR me specifically. I've > just never seen this disclosure thing before and I'm wondering what > everyone else does with it. > > Mystified (with fingers crossed, because I really would like this > job, and I am so totally not above using my back as a reason to be > assured of an office), > Elissa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 26, 2004 Report Share Posted May 26, 2004 Hey Elissa - My hubby practices this type of laaw and I have forwarded your Q's to him and will get you the legal and then the actual (which we all know CAN be different)! answers. He advises lots of HR types and can prob recommend good wording - truthful but best foot forward. > > From: " ekm1220 " <elissajunk@...> > Date: 2004/05/25 Tue PM 11:28:36 EDT > > Subject: To disclose...or not? > > Hiya. Well, job applications have changed since ADA was passed. I > haven't actually filled out a standard job app since...since...1992 > or something; I always end up instead at smaller companies that don't > have HR departments and hire on whim, or getting a reference through > a personal connection and a lunch interview > > Yeah, yeah, I'm getting to the point. So, I'm quite far along in the > interview process for a position at a mid-sized publicly traded > company -- far enough along that the HR guy finally gave me a form to > fill out. And there's this whole " we promise it's confidential, we > promise not to discriminate, go ahead and tell us about any > disability that may require special accommodations " section. I assume > this has been around for a while and I've just never had to deal with > it before. > > So...do I tell the truth? To the point that I explain that I'll > probably need a task chair (instead of an executive chair) and > various lumbar supports? They really CAN'T discriminate in hiring > because of this, right? Can I " disclose " that because I need to lay > down on the floor from time to time, I really need to be in one those > nice offices instead of in a cubicle? (Seriously, I'm thinking about > that one -- the issue of real estate hasn't come up yet, but it > will...) > > I know, they really aren't supposed to discriminate and I'm a lucky, > lucky, lucky person in that I'm not only the only candidate for the > job, they're actually creating a position FOR me specifically. I've > just never seen this disclosure thing before and I'm wondering what > everyone else does with it. > > Mystified (with fingers crossed, because I really would like this > job, and I am so totally not above using my back as a reason to be > assured of an office), > Elissa > > > > > > Support for scoliosis-surgery veterans with Harrington Rod Malalignment Syndrome. Not medical advice. Group does not control ads or endorse any advertised products. > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 26, 2004 Report Share Posted May 26, 2004 Jean: Thanks for the advice. I was just a little taken aback because as I said, I haven't had to fill out one of these in a while. The silver lining at this particular company is that they're recovering from some very painful economic contractions, and there are clearly two vacant offices in the area (and a passel of empty cubes) in the area where I'll be working. Obviously, office vs. cube isn't the same kind of dealbreaker that salary is, but if I can get an edge toward the office, well, then this whole back mess will have been good for SOMETHING. A pretty paltry silver lining, if you ask me, but there you have it. Elissa > > Hiya. Well, job applications have changed since ADA was passed. I > > haven't actually filled out a standard job app since...since...1992 > > or something; I always end up instead at smaller companies that don't > > have HR departments and hire on whim, or getting a reference through > > a personal connection and a lunch interview > > > > Yeah, yeah, I'm getting to the point. So, I'm quite far along in the > > interview process for a position at a mid-sized publicly traded > > company -- far enough along that the HR guy finally gave me a form to > > fill out. And there's this whole " we promise it's confidential, we > > promise not to discriminate, go ahead and tell us about any > > disability that may require special accommodations " section. I assume > > this has been around for a while and I've just never had to deal with > > it before. > > > > So...do I tell the truth? To the point that I explain that I'll > > probably need a task chair (instead of an executive chair) and > > various lumbar supports? They really CAN'T discriminate in hiring > > because of this, right? Can I " disclose " that because I need to lay > > down on the floor from time to time, I really need to be in one those > > nice offices instead of in a cubicle? (Seriously, I'm thinking about > > that one -- the issue of real estate hasn't come up yet, but it > > will...) > > > > I know, they really aren't supposed to discriminate and I'm a lucky, > > lucky, lucky person in that I'm not only the only candidate for the > > job, they're actually creating a position FOR me specifically. I've > > just never seen this disclosure thing before and I'm wondering what > > everyone else does with it. > > > > Mystified (with fingers crossed, because I really would like this > > job, and I am so totally not above using my back as a reason to be > > assured of an office), > > Elissa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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