Applying for Work
"When I was diagnosed I had just been made redundant. I was concerned that potential employers might see me as a risk once I told them I had MS."
Looking for work can be stressful. If you have MS you might worry that your diagnosis might act against you with potential employers. You may not regard yourself as disabled, but you are still covered under the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA). This means that it's unlawful for employers to discriminate against disabled people for a reason related to their disability, in all aspects of employment.
If you need guidance on whether the problems you are having breach the DDA, or need free legal advice to take a case of discrimination further, contact the Disability Law Service (DLS) from the main MS Society site.
First of all you should remember that you are the same person you were the day before you were diagnosed. Even if you are unable to do the same work that you did before you developed MS, your condition does not make you unemployable. Focussing on what you have to offer an employer, will make you more positive about job hunting.
In terms of telling potential employers that you have MS, if you don't answer a medical question honestly at interview or in an application form, an employer can argue that you have misled them. This could lead to disciplinary action and even dismissal.
Job Hunting
If you're looking for a new job there are a number of places you can go for specialised help.
Your local Jobcentre can give advice about every aspect of your job search and help you find out which benefits or allowances you're entitled to claim. They can also support you if you're concerned about the impact of MS on your existing job.
You and your Job Centre Plus adviser could decide that more specialist advice is a good idea. They can then arrange for you to have an interview with a Disability Employment Adviser (DEA). They will talk to you about your skills and give some suggestions to the sort of job that would suit you. They then draw up a plan of action with you to help you get a job or go on a training course.