I have been very worried about getting a proper diagnoses due to not being sure if I have to declare this to work.
I am a teacher and was worried that working with children and young people might mean further scrutiny from employers etc.
After speaking to my union, The Disability Rights Commission (DRC) and the MDF I have found out a lot of things that have put my mind at rest. Things I wanted to put into a thread for people to look at or stumble across whilst googling information.
1) The Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) Code of practice - Chapter 8.21 states that you do not have to disclose anything to your employer.
2) The DDA also states that if you want extra support or dispensations then you need to tell them. (This, is kind of obvious as if you don't tell them, they won't know!!)
3) Some people have failed to disclose information in the past and have then become ill at work and failed to get support and been sacked.
This is one of the unfortunate side effects of keeping it to yourself.
If you act in a way that is unsafe etc you could be sacked due to them not knowing the real reason. You could also be held accountable for keeping information from them that possibly put others at risk or harmed your productivity.
4) It might be useful to confide in a work colleague (if there is someone you can trust) who can tell you if they notice a change in behaviour so that you can take action before getting to the point where you will cause problems at work and risk dismissal.
5) The DDA is there to support us and help us get support at work. But, you do not necessarily have to be classed as disabled if you do not feel you fit into this area. Basically, use the DDA if it will benefit you. If you feel you can cope without it, then keep it as a support.
If anyone has anything to add or correct. Please do.
Hope this is useful to someone.
Maniac.
