People, I’ve finally landed a job! After many application and interviews over the last few years, I’ve finally done it!
However, the 2 interviews I had were done on Teams, and even though I’ve now signed the contract, they don’t know that I had a stroke, gosh, 6 years ago, meaning they have no idea about my right hand still has limited dexterity, which restricts activities requiring fine coordination, such as typing or writing which I used to do. Nor do they know about my aphasia. But as the successful interviews for this company have testified (I had 2 interviews), my aphasia is not so much of a threatening advisory as a scuffle these days.
So the question is: do I tell them about my right hand, as I find typing more accessible when I can glide over the keys of a low-profile keyboard when typing with my left hand (I think I’ll get a laptop with this role anyway, which will suit)? Equally, do I tell them about my aphasia, at all?
The role is in IT, so I don’t imagine I’ll be writing that much.
Congrats on the job!
I have to ask myself what would I do? I suppose the question depends really whether you were asked about your medical history. If you wern’t asked then surely you have no obligation to declare it. If any medical conditions were important in relation to the job then it’s their responsibility to ask. They can’t expect you to guess what they may or may not want to hear. On the other hand of course, they will expect you to be able to do the job, so if you have any doubts about that you can either tell them and risk losing the job or just wait and see. I think the latter option would be best.
Thanks! Still celebrating! It’s been such a long time. And the role is hybrid, too - which is an enormous benifit for me.
I had to complete a Bupa questionnaire on which I mentioned my limited dexterity, but I didn’t mention my aphasia. I then had a call from a Bupa OT to confirm what I needed (low-profile keyboard/laptop) and then she signed me fit for work. I’m not sure the OT knew what the responsibilities and accountabilities of the role were though.
Congratulations, I’m so pleased for you
You are clearly proficiently enough if you passed 2 interviews on Teams, I mean that is up close and personal with nothing to distract the interviewer. So they would have picked up on any impediments that could be an issue to them, and clearly they didn’t! So long as you can do the job, that’s all that matters to them. So just relax and celebrate.
The funny thing is, if you’d never had a stroke, you’d still have concerns…just not the same ones. It’s a new job, new people and it’s been a while since you last worked so naturally your confidence is going to have a bit of a wobble. But you’ll be fine once you’re a couple weeks in and relaxed more.
Good Luck
The 1st interview went through my experience and knowledge. The 2nd one much the same together with a few situational Qs. Thankfully, I’ve got the experience and knowledge they’re looking for.
As part of the application process I ticked the box to say I’m disabled but there was nowhere to add anything else. Additionally, I only mentioned my limited dexterity to the Bupa OT because this company required a Bupa questionnaire to be completed, but I have no idea what type of feedback she gave to the company.
Aside from the above, I’ve decided to adopt the wait and see approach and have not disclosed anything to the company at this point.
It’s a Systems Engineer role. The company is building new IT services in the cloud as opposed to lifting and shifting their dated on-premise services to it, meaning there’s nothing physical to do as it’s all software defined.
@im72 if it’s like where I work no medical details are given to the employer from the pre employment medical questionnaire- they are purely told whether you’ve passed or failed the medical.
Sounds like you’ll do great at the job.
Wishing you the best of luck with it & look forward to hearing how you get on.
Yeh, this company advertised Bupa membership, which they said is optional - just as well as I’d never get it now!
My last company streamlined their IT services with AWS and other SaaS solutions, and I’ve gone on to earn all 3 associates post stroke. This new outfit appears to be Azure all the way (IaaS, SaaS (MS 365)). I’ve been using MS products for, ahem, X amount of years, and my last company hosted a few archive boxes in Azure even though everything else was in off-shore Colos. Additionally, I’ve already got my Fundamentals and Admin cert and am looking to sit the Designing Azure Solutions very shortly.
I’m excitedly nervous or nervously excited about this new venture. Thrilled, too.
I started yesterday. However, today was interesting. So yesterday I drove to the office (12 miles away), but today was the very day I tried public transport to get to the office. The 1st bus (which was on time) was ‘Not In Service’, and the 2nd went into limp mode literally a mile from the house. Driver lets the engine rest before firing it back up. Moving again until the next stop. Limp mode again. Driver manages to get it moving but says he’s going to drop us off a couple if miles further, adding that the another bus is not for behind.
I stroll into work at 09.25. My boss goes, ‘It’s not an issue. We don’t look at hours worked. We focus on outputs.’ Then, at the end of day, aside from me, he was the last IT member to leave, with most leaving between 16.00 and 16.30. He left at 16.40, adding (again), ‘You don’t have to say just for the sake of it. We don’t do hours, we’re agile.’
Please don’t be silly - I actually enjoyed it and as a result of me asking my IT mates they are going to come round one evening next week for some football and pizza!!
I stroll into work at 09.25. My boss goes, ‘It’s not an issue. We don’t look at hours worked. We focus on outputs.’ Then, at the end of day, aside from me, he was the last IT member to leave, with most leaving between 16.00 and 16.30. He left at 16.40, adding (again), ‘You don’t have to say just for the sake of it. We don’t do hours, we’re agile.’
I think this might be my kind of place.
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That sounds like my kind of place too. you seem like you handled it so well despite your frustration with transport and kept cool (like a polar bear of course ).
I am so so impressed and I hope in a few years or whenever I may be able to do something as brave as you and get back into work!!
I applaud you and your attitude. I think you will get on with your boss and colleagues!
Well, I’ve done a full week and I’m chuffed beyond belief. The team of which I am a member is welcoming and very good humoured, and have made my week a very enjoyable one.
Many thanks to everyone on this forum for the advice and talking sense when I needed to hear/read it, and a special shout out to all the polar bears out there!
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