Disclosing your disability serves as an explanation
Disclosing a disability can be necessary to serve as an explanation. People can reference their disability to explain gaps in their employment history. Disclosing a disability allows people the chance to answer any questions the employer may have and assuage any doubts about their capabilities.
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The Argument
An advantage of disclosing your disability to a potential employer is that you may need to reference it for an explanation. If you have gaps in your employment history, then you will need to explain how it is related to your disability.[1] Explaining the impact of your disability can also help the potential employer understand communication difficulties during the interview, especially with illnesses such as autism.[2] It is better that employers know the reason behind these issues then immediately disregard you because of them.
It is also better to disclose your disability before your performance suffers because of it. An employer does not have to rescind discipline decisions based on poor performance if the employee then discloses that this is because of a disability.[3] You need to preemptively work with the company and request accommodations to help you succeed to avoid any performance problems.
Disclosing your disability can also allow you the chance to answer any questions the employer may have and assuage any of their doubts about your capabilities.[4] It can also be discussed as a strength; despite your struggles, need to rest, or dealings with pain, look at everything you have accomplished. It shows employers your perseverance.
Counter arguments
Don’t disclose your disability to explain gaps in your work history. Instead, add a filler such as volunteer work or continuing education to explain what you did during that time.[5] Your disability may be an explanation, but it isn’t worth risking discrimination or impacting how an employer perceives you because of any preconceived notions they may have about your disability.[4]
Proponents
Premises
[P1] People can reference their disability to explain gaps in their employment history or communication difficulties during the interview.
[P2] Disclosing a disability allows people the chance to answer any questions the employer may have and assuage any of their doubts about your capabilities.
[P3] A disability can be referenced when discussing a person's strengths.
Rejecting the premises
[Rejecting P2] Instead of assuaging doubts, disclosing your disability can impact how an employer perceives you because of any preconceived notions they may have about your disability.
References
- https://www.theguardian.com/higher-education-network/2016/mar/11/i-have-a-disability-when-do-i-tell-a-prospective-employer
- https://iancommunity.org/tell-or-not-tell-disclosing-disability-workplace
- https://abilityjobs.com/should-i-or-shouldnt-i/
- https://www.monster.com/career-advice/article/learning-disabilities-at-work
- https://www.monster.com/career-advice/article/disclose-disability-on-resume