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Causes of Underemployment.
Wed, 08/20/2008 - 13:38For those of you who are able to work, but cannot find employment, I was wondering what you think the cause of this might be. For example, is it lack of transportation, experience, education, etc.? By "employment" I mean something commensurate with your abilities and experience. Something that you think is reasonable and beneficial for you.
Comments
Re: Causes of Underemployment.
Submitted by irvkay on Thu, 2008-08-21 - 20:19
Hi,
This topic caught my eye because I've lived with epilepsy all my life and have been fortunate to maintain employment with Honeywell Inc. here in the Twin Cities in their Punch Press department for over 31 years before I retired. Also, I was able to learn a lot in dealing with all kinds of disabilities as a Charter Member of Honeywell's Council of Employee's with Disabilities, serving 2 terms as its president. Then in 1993, I was appointed by the Corporate Director of Diversity of Honeywell and others to represent Honeywell "as its companies Corporate Representative to the Employer Committee of the President's Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities, in Washington; as we sought to teach and help national employers how to interpret and deal with diabilities under The Americans with Disabilities Act."
Your right in one respect, employers and people are often reluctant to accept the disabled or epileptic as they are and for what they are. I view this as an inborn psychological factor that people have about the disabled being different.
On the other hand, few employers and people even recognize what we pointed out "that the disabled employee often has more integrity relative to their job responsibilities, as well as a better attendance record." The reason for this is really quite simple and goes to the root of most people with disabilities concerns "they value their job opportunity, seek to do their best, and be promotable, when possible."
These things might sound like a lot to accomplish, but it can be done through faith, hope, and perseverance. You begin by learning your own situation as best you can. Establish a relationship within your local Epilepsy Foundation within your state. As they often have groups of people with epilepsy, seeking employment, or learning how to live with it. Understand others, so as to recognize yourself more fully, as well as attain any guidance your foundation may offer.
When I was first employed in the Punch Press Department, no less; as well as operated multi-slides and 150 ton blanking presses; "I began by establishing a dialogue about my condition with my supervisor, medical personnel, union officers, and my peers, so as to avoid the fear that others could have about having a person with epilepsy work with them or under them." I believe that step in itself enabled others "to accept me as I was and reject the thought of woorying about me, I was open and willing to help others understand and learn about epilepsy."
Those are some of the most important factors that I view, as I look back to my past employment and seek to lead my life today as a retiree and senior citizen.
Hi,
This topic caught my eye because I've lived with epilepsy all my life and have been fortunate to maintain employment with Honeywell Inc. here in the Twin Cities in their Punch Press department for over 31 years before I retired. Also, I was able to learn a lot in dealing with all kinds of disabilities as a Charter Member of Honeywell's Council of Employee's with Disabilities, serving 2 terms as its president. Then in 1993, I was appointed by the Corporate Director of Diversity of Honeywell and others to represent Honeywell "as its companies Corporate Representative to the Employer Committee of the President's Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities, in Washington; as we sought to teach and help national employers how to interpret and deal with diabilities under The Americans with Disabilities Act."
Your right in one respect, employers and people are often reluctant to accept the disabled or epileptic as they are and for what they are. I view this as an inborn psychological factor that people have about the disabled being different.
On the other hand, few employers and people even recognize what we pointed out "that the disabled employee often has more integrity relative to their job responsibilities, as well as a better attendance record." The reason for this is really quite simple and goes to the root of most people with disabilities concerns "they value their job opportunity, seek to do their best, and be promotable, when possible."
These things might sound like a lot to accomplish, but it can be done through faith, hope, and perseverance. You begin by learning your own situation as best you can. Establish a relationship within your local Epilepsy Foundation within your state. As they often have groups of people with epilepsy, seeking employment, or learning how to live with it. Understand others, so as to recognize yourself more fully, as well as attain any guidance your foundation may offer.
When I was first employed in the Punch Press Department, no less; as well as operated multi-slides and 150 ton blanking presses; "I began by establishing a dialogue about my condition with my supervisor, medical personnel, union officers, and my peers, so as to avoid the fear that others could have about having a person with epilepsy work with them or under them." I believe that step in itself enabled others "to accept me as I was and reject the thought of woorying about me, I was open and willing to help others understand and learn about epilepsy."
Those are some of the most important factors that I view, as I look back to my past employment and seek to lead my life today as a retiree and senior citizen.
Re: Causes of Underemployment.
Submitted by woodland on Wed, 2008-08-20 - 21:33
I believe that employers view us as a liability as opposed to an asset. For those of us who experience the side effects of these AED's including memory, speech/communication, etc., we may be viewed as being unable to perform our duties. Some may consider us "not wanting to participate/communicate" or "not applying yourself". In many cases, we don't "communicate" because we tend to come acrossed as being "idiots" due to the fact that we often have speech issues. The lack of effort reflects the fact that it may take us longer to comprehend something. In this case I can understand while an employer may not want us in a "time sensitive" position but that doesn't mean we are not employable. Employers fail to realize that, for most of us, once we learn something, we tend to be very good at it. Because of the fact that I do have memory issues, I believe that this is why I am such a good organizer. In some situations we are considered to be disabled. In my opinion the employers should take full advantage of everything the government offers for employing the disabled instead of thinking of us as liabilities or poor performers. The fact of the matter is that most of us can excel at any job that matches our abilities. It's a pride issue of proving your worth. "If you (employer) are patient enough to allow me to learn, you will find out that, not only can I perform this job, I can do it very well."
Some of this may be healthcare expenses as well. With the cost of healthcare, it's only a matter of time that all individuals that have some sort of chronic disorder are going to find it difficult to obtain and retain work. It is getting to the point that some employers refuse to hire anyone that is a smoker. Now granted, this is a self induced medical liability. However, how long is it going to be before this "screening" gets down to us? (Before you say "they can't do that" all I have for you is two words, "prove it"). I have seen people who have lost their jobs after making a major claim. I know of an individual that lost his job after the employer became aware of the fact that his wife had been diagnosised with cancer. I know an individual that was curiously fired within two days of notifiying the employer that he required surgery. I know of an individual that was terminated while in a hospital bed. I believe that medical expenses is now another unofficial reason for our employment issues.
I am now going to return to school for a degree. In many of our cases, our grades/GPA will not reflect our abilities due to the side effects of these AED's. This is why I did not pursue college. Being that legitimate accredited colleges now make it possible to earn a degree sitting behind your own desk, this will make it easier for me. I also have issues with memory, concentration, etc. Because of the fact that all of the class studies will be in writing, I don't have to worry about not comprehending something before the instructor moves on. Even if there is a "web cast" involved, I can still record it and review it as many times as I need to. This will nullify the education excuse. I believe that everyone should take advantage of the online college opportunities.
This may be a situation where some of us may want to consider some type of employment within the medical field. X-ray tech, physical rehab., EKG/EEG tech's, etc. Hopefully, employers within the medical profession will not be as judgemental.
Steven
I believe that employers view us as a liability as opposed to an asset. For those of us who experience the side effects of these AED's including memory, speech/communication, etc., we may be viewed as being unable to perform our duties. Some may consider us "not wanting to participate/communicate" or "not applying yourself". In many cases, we don't "communicate" because we tend to come acrossed as being "idiots" due to the fact that we often have speech issues. The lack of effort reflects the fact that it may take us longer to comprehend something. In this case I can understand while an employer may not want us in a "time sensitive" position but that doesn't mean we are not employable. Employers fail to realize that, for most of us, once we learn something, we tend to be very good at it. Because of the fact that I do have memory issues, I believe that this is why I am such a good organizer. In some situations we are considered to be disabled. In my opinion the employers should take full advantage of everything the government offers for employing the disabled instead of thinking of us as liabilities or poor performers. The fact of the matter is that most of us can excel at any job that matches our abilities. It's a pride issue of proving your worth. "If you (employer) are patient enough to allow me to learn, you will find out that, not only can I perform this job, I can do it very well."
Some of this may be healthcare expenses as well. With the cost of healthcare, it's only a matter of time that all individuals that have some sort of chronic disorder are going to find it difficult to obtain and retain work. It is getting to the point that some employers refuse to hire anyone that is a smoker. Now granted, this is a self induced medical liability. However, how long is it going to be before this "screening" gets down to us? (Before you say "they can't do that" all I have for you is two words, "prove it"). I have seen people who have lost their jobs after making a major claim. I know of an individual that lost his job after the employer became aware of the fact that his wife had been diagnosised with cancer. I know an individual that was curiously fired within two days of notifiying the employer that he required surgery. I know of an individual that was terminated while in a hospital bed. I believe that medical expenses is now another unofficial reason for our employment issues.
I am now going to return to school for a degree. In many of our cases, our grades/GPA will not reflect our abilities due to the side effects of these AED's. This is why I did not pursue college. Being that legitimate accredited colleges now make it possible to earn a degree sitting behind your own desk, this will make it easier for me. I also have issues with memory, concentration, etc. Because of the fact that all of the class studies will be in writing, I don't have to worry about not comprehending something before the instructor moves on. Even if there is a "web cast" involved, I can still record it and review it as many times as I need to. This will nullify the education excuse. I believe that everyone should take advantage of the online college opportunities.
This may be a situation where some of us may want to consider some type of employment within the medical field. X-ray tech, physical rehab., EKG/EEG tech's, etc. Hopefully, employers within the medical profession will not be as judgemental.
Steven