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Should I lie & not tell people I'm epileptic just to get a job!!

Sun, 07/08/2007 - 11:49
I'm sorta at a loss for what to do. I've been unemployed and on Canadian EI (assistance) since December '06. That runs out in February '08. Thing is, I have a university education & 9 years experience in technology - the field I used to work in. Basically, where I used to work transferred me to marketing because to much travel was needed in the other department & I can't drive. Well, I hated working in marketing, slowly my 'stats' sucked, so that job ended - I was going to start looking for something new in January '07 & leave - they just sorta forced me to quit & processed paperwork as 'mutual agreement' in December instead. Since I get all kinds of interviews for jobs where I'm over qualified & jobs where they'd be a match. The problem always seems to be one of 2 things - Travel! or Hours! Travel - well, not having a license. Hours - In order to prevent seizures I need a pretty consistent life, and can't really work until 2am. Thing is, as soon as I tell people that medical comes first & well, as long as travel isn't by car I'm okay to travel anywhere they don't like that. And for some jobs, if I say I want to be home by 10pm, but I'm more than willing to work from home, they don't like that! What am I supposed to do, lie & put employment ahead of health?? My doctors would kill me, not to mention my boyfriend, family & friends. Any ideas how to get it through to employers that "driving" isn't the only way to travel & that it is possible to work from home after 'standard hours'?? I'm freaked I won't have a job by the time my EI runs out & if that happens essentially then I'm living off a line of credit or something. Thanks.

Comments

Re: Re: Re: Hi, I've been waiting on

Submitted by itsmyeviltwin on Sun, 2007-07-08 - 20:25
I know in the US we can ask for a 'reasonable accomodation'...is this alsotrue in Ontario?

Re: Re: Hi, I've been waiting on

Submitted by tracy_ack on Tue, 2007-07-10 - 13:38
True, employers cant ask you about medical problems. For my current job though, I had to take a pre-employment drug screen and when I tested positive for barbituates(primidone,fiornal,etc) and had to list the drugs I was on, it was pretty clear what my medical problems were. I never was asked, but they knew. I work in a feild were driving is required, also being on call, working on ladders, and just about all the things that are suggested that people w/ E dont do. It would have been very easy for my current employer to hire another canidate w/ equal qualifications and just to call me and say "Sorry, we are unable to offer you a position at this time." Best thing to do IMHO, is to use personal networking to find employers that will hire you based on personal references and recommendations, rather then just randomly applying for jobs. I applied for several jobs in my feild that I was more that qualified for and was not called back after the second interview after scheduling and driving issues were brought up. It took me working some of my professional contacts to find a job where my "neurological uniqueness" was less important than the skills that I brought to the table.

Re: Hi, I've been waiting on

Submitted by davidmorrison on Sun, 2007-07-08 - 19:57
hi one thing dont stress no good for u and u can work at night just remember too get plenty of rest any time u can if u cant drive take a taxi they will get u there just as fast and no u dont have to tell your employer but its up too u good luck and take care

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