The pressure of being a disabled employee

Being a disabled employee can have its challenges. I’m not for one second saying that disabled people shouldn’t work, far from it! However, to be under the impression that it’s easy would be misleading.

Disclaimer: Working and the ability to work does not define your worth. Some disabled people, for whatever reason, cannot work and manage their health. Being disabled can be a full-time job.

The level of support from employers can vary. Yet the pressures I’d like to highlight are not related to this. I’m wanting to show what it can be like for a disabled employee, how public attitudes and having a condition can affect employment.

Showing your worth

Great news! You’ve secured your dream role. But did they hire you *because* you’re disabled? Failing that, they’ve done you a favour.

Sound familiar? It’s very easy, as a disabled person, to internalise ableism. Societies portrayal of disability isn’t exactly a positive one. I think this is especially true of employment. As a result, you might feel like you need to over perform. A combination of showing you’re capable of the job and the need to return the favour of being employed in the first place can get messy.

“It was only when I spoke with other disabled colleagues that I realised the pressure I put on myself. I’ve internalised the prejudices. I need to work through that and not be so hard on myself.”

Anonymous

Taking longer to complete tasks can be common if you’re using certain technology. It also can depend on the symptoms you experience:

• pain and fatigue can make it harder to concentrate
• sensory overload when faced with meetings
• eye strain when reading

We may feel like we need to do more work to be on a level playing field with our colleagues. Working longer hours to get the work done is not uncommon. However, we need to break these habits and speak out if there are things that could help.

“People don’t consider that it takes more time to do tasks when you’re disabled or using reasonable adjustments.”

Anonymous

Too disabled?

Your employer knows you have a disability, but do you worry about being *too* disabled? Again, this shouldn’t be the case. But if your disability is seen as a weakness, will you be the first one to go when they make cuts?

 “It’s like you constantly have to show you aren’t too disabled for the job, but disabled enough to need that help.”

Anonymous

Disabled people should be entitled to employment as much as the next person. Yet being seen as disabled can be a negative for employers. I believe this is partially down to the unknown. The thought of extra paperwork for adjustments or even having a disabled employee to begin with. Yet things are getting there.

Read more: Here’s why we should employ disabled people

Being disabled can have its challenges. Some of which can impact our working life:

• potential medical appointments
• time off work to manage your health
• not working quick enough on a bad day

This does not highlight incapabilities, it merely shows the barriers that are already in our way. We’re already 1-0 down and that’s before we arrive at work.

A good first impression?

Asking for reasonable adjustments can be a normal part of applying for work when you’re disabled. Wrongly, these can be perceived as being a nuisance. Whether your employer is reluctant, or you feel it wouldn’t make a good first impression.

Read more: The pressure to be positive as a disabled person

“I was not comfortable admitting to my disabilities when I first started my job. I needed to scout the territory, so to speak. After three months, I threw caution to the winds and started being more open about them with both management and my co-workers.”

Anonymous

It’s like the age old question, do I mention my disability on a job application? I personally always have done, but I can see why others would choose not to. To be labelled from the start can lead to discrimination. Even if this shouldn’t be the case. Technically you do not have to disclose your disability, but others have said it‘s harder to ask for reasonable adjustments when you’ve not mentioned being disabled.

Be yourself. Surely you can’t do anymore than that?

Finding stability

I consider myself very fortunate to have a supportive workplace. But what happens if you don’t?

Unfortunately it’s down to luck if you have a good manager and team. It can make such a difference and allows employment to be accessible and enjoyable. Not only that, you’re seen for your capabilities and what you bring to the team.

What happens if the good members of staff leave? When I asked the disabled community this was something they feared. We shouldn’t be reliant on the good nature of certain colleagues, but that’s what it’s like. It can even mean not wanting to move jobs or progress because it would mean losing the current support.

Not only that, it can take a long time to feel comfortable, get adjustments put in place and get to grips with the role. This process can take years sometimes. Starting that process again can feel exhausting. I’m not saying we should settle for a job, because we shouldn’t. However, this is the reality.

How many disabled people have you seen in high paid roles at management level? It’s not impossible, but is harder than it should be.

~ Chloe x