Many people who experience mental health difficulties worry about whether to tell potential employers about their condition.

In the past, people have avoided telling potential employers about any mental health difficulties that they have had in the past or are experiencing at the time because they feared discrimination and stigma, and worried that it would influence decisions about whether to employ them.

It is always up to the individual whether they choose to tell a potential employer about their mental health difficulties.

There are, however, many good reasons why you should.

Some employers are actively looking to employ people with disabilities. If they display the two ticks symbol, you are guaranteed an interview if you have a disability and meet the minimum requirements for the post.

Telling a potential employer about a disability means they will be able to take it into account when assessing your suitability for the post in question. It also means that they are legally obligated to explore possible ways of adapting a position so that your disability does not put you at a disadvantage.

This section explores your rights and responsibilities in declaring your mental health difficulty to potential employers

Mental Health Difficulties and the Disability Discrimination Act
The disability symbol
What are reasonable adjustments?
Who pays for reasonable adjustments?
What happens if I don’t disclose my mental health difficulty?
When should I tell an employer about my mental health difficulties?
Application forms and medical questionnaires
Attending interviews
Employers with a commitment to employing disabled people

Tags: commitment to employing disabled people, Disability Discrimination Act (DDA)