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Having a bit of a problem
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They think I'm lying about it, because I can't get proof. Why the fuck would I lie? 
So where do I stand now? | |||
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"So when I applied for my job, I said I had a learning difficulty called dyspraxia. I have never been tested as it was never picked up on at school, bearing in mind it only came about 10 years ago. My work have now asked for proof, I have been to my GP 4 times asking to be tested and have been told every time that I'm not eligible for the test due to my age. If I didn't have a learning difficulty I wouldn't need to have gone to a special needs school.
They think I'm lying about it, because I can't get proof. Why the fuck would I lie?
So where do I stand now?"Contact the Dyspraxia Foundation and ask for advice? | |||
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"So when I applied for my job, I said I had a learning difficulty called dyspraxia. I have never been tested as it was never picked up on at school, bearing in mind it only came about 10 years ago. My work have now asked for proof, I have been to my GP 4 times asking to be tested and have been told every time that I'm not eligible for the test due to my age. If I didn't have a learning difficulty I wouldn't need to have gone to a special needs school.
They think I'm lying about it, because I can't get proof. Why the fuck would I lie?
So where do I stand now?
Contact the Dyspraxia Foundation and ask for advice?"I did email them but never got a response off them, will have to send another email | |||
"You either explain to your employer that your doctor won't provide the evidence or you push you GP a bit more to do it. Maybe try a different GP. I used to be in a similar situation but with a totally different problem. Or ask work to pay for the tests to be done privately. " I tried explaining that they couldn't do the test and they still thought I was lying. I can't win | |||
"So when I applied for my job, I said I had a learning difficulty called dyspraxia. I have never been tested as it was never picked up on at school, bearing in mind it only came about 10 years ago. My work have now asked for proof, I have been to my GP 4 times asking to be tested and have been told every time that I'm not eligible for the test due to my age. If I didn't have a learning difficulty I wouldn't need to have gone to a special needs school.
They think I'm lying about it, because I can't get proof. Why the fuck would I lie?
So where do I stand now?
Contact the Dyspraxia Foundation and ask for advice?
I did email them but never got a response off them, will have to send another email"if you are on FB, try seeing if there are any UK groups on there too | |||
"ask the school that 'diagnosed' you then. i only put 'diagnosed' like that, cause its not like an official dr's diagnosis lol.. i'm sure they will help if they still have your records on hand. if not, depending how long you have been at your workplace, they might have to prove whether or not you have a problem with it. (sorry i can't be more help ) "I've been at my work place for a year now. What really pissed me off is that one of the team leaders on my unit went through my file, which isn't allowed, and asked about getting proof | |||
"So when I applied for my job, I said I had a learning difficulty called dyspraxia. I have never been tested as it was never picked up on at school, bearing in mind it only came about 10 years ago. My work have now asked for proof, I have been to my GP 4 times asking to be tested and have been told every time that I'm not eligible for the test due to my age. If I didn't have a learning difficulty I wouldn't need to have gone to a special needs school.
They think I'm lying about it, because I can't get proof. Why the fuck would I lie?
So where do I stand now?
Contact the Dyspraxia Foundation and ask for advice?
I did email them but never got a response off them, will have to send another email
if you are on FB, try seeing if there are any UK groups on there too "I will, thank you | |||
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"Your work is being petty here you have already told them and now they want proof. " Exactly and its pissing me off so much I don't want to go to work | |||
"Your work is being petty here you have already told them and now they want proof. Exactly and its pissing me off so much I don't want to go to work" Really feel for you,are you in a Union who can help you | |||
"Your work is being petty here you have already told them and now they want proof. Exactly and its pissing me off so much I don't want to go to work Really feel for you,are you in a Union who can help you" I'm struggling to find a suitable union for my type of work. I work in dementia care. i got told i was bitching about other staff for saying that people who don't know what dyspraxia is, should google it as not everyone knows about it, coz i find it hard to explain what it is sometimes | |||
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"Why is your employer asking you to proof it? Is it impacting on your role? " I was asked on the form when applying for the job if I have a learning difficulty and I ticked yes. Why they should need proof i don't know | |||
"Why is your employer asking you to proof it? Is it impacting on your role? I was asked on the form when applying for the job if I have a learning difficulty and I ticked yes. Why they should need proof i don't know" I think that should be your first question to them. If you have been given the job and are carrying it out suitably I don't understand on what grounds they would now require proof of your declaration. Surely they would have asked for this before offering you employment if it was necessary. | |||
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"Why is your employer asking you to proof it? Is it impacting on your role? I was asked on the form when applying for the job if I have a learning difficulty and I ticked yes. Why they should need proof i don't know I think that should be your first question to them. If you have been given the job and are carrying it out suitably I don't understand on what grounds they would now require proof of your declaration. Surely they would have asked for this before offering you employment if it was necessary. " Exactly! I'll ring up my old school tomorrow and see if they still have my records | |||
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"If I was inter_iewing you, then as long as you were capable of fulfilling the role to which you were applying then I would have no problems at all with employing you. I used to work as a manager employing people who had do deal with members of the public on a daily basis. Spelling was not an issue and nor should it ever be. Good luck "Are you confusing dyspraxia with dyslexia? | |||
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"So when I applied for my job, I said I had a learning difficulty called dyspraxia. I have never been tested as it was never picked up on at school, bearing in mind it only came about 10 years ago. My work have now asked for proof, I have been to my GP 4 times asking to be tested and have been told every time that I'm not eligible for the test due to my age. If I didn't have a learning difficulty I wouldn't need to have gone to a special needs school.
They think I'm lying about it, because I can't get proof. Why the fuck would I lie?
So where do I stand now?"Explain the problem to your HP department and have them contact the school you attended.  | |||
"Thinking about this, I don't think your employer has any right to see any of your medical history or details without your permission. Unless they have a good reason for needing proof, I think you may be within your rights to refuse. If you declared it from the beginning and they didn't query it at the time, they may be on dodgy ground pressuring you to provide medical records now. Also, I'd make a formal complaint about your employment file being accessed like that. Your employer have a legal obligation to protect your personal data and should only be allowing access on a need basis. Your file should not be available to anyone senior to you that fancies being nosy." I believe that there are all sorts of grants and breaks employers can get from the government for employing disabled people and that dyspraxia could well qualify for those benefits. | |||
"Put it in writing to the head of HR, including proof that the school you attended was a special needs school and point out that is sufficient evidence of your learning difficulty. State you feel you are being pressured to provide personal data which the company has no need of, it's causing you undue stress, and it stops now or you will take further action regarding the harassment and violation of your privacy. The Human Rights Act protects your right to a private family life. The Data Protection Act protects your employment file from access by those who don't need to see it. There's probably a disability discrimination angle in there too. This is if you've been with the company more than a year, (a full year, not 51 weeks), because you're on shaky ground with employment rights otherwise. I strongly suggest you check this course of action with someone qualified before doing it though. It's what I'd probably do. That doesn't mean it's necessarily sensible." I would add to this, that anything you do, you ensure is 'traceable' - i.e by email or letter only. If they ask anything, ensure they put it in writing, else you won't entertain it. Mainly tho - don't let it stress you out  (yeah I know, easier said than done right now) | |||
"If I was inter_iewing you, then as long as you were capable of fulfilling the role to which you were applying then I would have no problems at all with employing you. I used to work as a manager employing people who had do deal with members of the public on a daily basis. Spelling was not an issue and nor should it ever be. Good luck "Dyspraxia isn't spelling. It's a hand to eye and brain disorder. My son has it. | |||
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"Playing devil's advocate... The OP has said she has never been officially diagnosed with dyspraxia so how does she know she has it? I don't know about employment laws, and anyone that does feel free to educate me, but surely when stating you have a disability that isn't visually apparent an employer is entitled to ask for proof if they have to make special allowances to accommodate your condition? Also, as far as I'm aware, lying about anything on your CV is a cause for instant dismissal, no matter how long you've been with your employer. Again, I stress I'm only playing devil's advocate here and would point out, as has been said many times on other threads, we only know one half of the story." They didn't say they'd make special allowances and all the details on my are correct | |||
"Playing devil's advocate... The OP has said she has never been officially diagnosed with dyspraxia so how does she know she has it? I don't know about employment laws, and anyone that does feel free to educate me, but surely when stating you have a disability that isn't visually apparent an employer is entitled to ask for proof if they have to make special allowances to accommodate your condition? Also, as far as I'm aware, lying about anything on your CV is a cause for instant dismissal, no matter how long you've been with your employer. Again, I stress I'm only playing devil's advocate here and would point out, as has been said many times on other threads, we only know one half of the story. They didn't say they'd make special allowances and all the details on my are correct" So why is it being made an issue and how do you know you have dyspraxia if you've never been diagnosed? | |||
"Thinking about this, I don't think your employer has any right to see any of your medical history or details without your permission. Unless they have a good reason for needing proof, I think you may be within your rights to refuse. If you declared it from the beginning and they didn't query it at the time, they may be on dodgy ground pressuring you to provide medical records now. Also, I'd make a formal complaint about your employment file being accessed like that. Your employer have a legal obligation to protect your personal data and should only be allowing access on a need basis. Your file should not be available to anyone senior to you that fancies being nosy." THIS^^^ the only thing Id add has also already been mentioned, citizens advice! not only should your file not have been read, it should not of been accessable. | |||
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"As far as I know employers are not obliged to pay for tests. A union may help out or a charity related to your industry. Have you asked for any reasonable adjustments in relation to your dyspraxia? Most employers won't provide these until they have seen a report which details the disability and suggests what they should be doing. I am confused as to why you need to contact the school as you say in your op that it was never picked up on at school. " The employer has a duty to identify and make reasonable adjustments for an employee that has disclosed a disability should they be required or asked for. That could include as part of the work place assessment a work place statement. In my experience Charities and Unions won't intervene, and it is probably best that they aren't invited to, they cause enough problems as it is. | |||
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"As far as I know employers are not obliged to pay for tests. A union may help out or a charity related to your industry. Have you asked for any reasonable adjustments in relation to your dyspraxia? Most employers won't provide these until they have seen a report which details the disability and suggests what they should be doing. I am confused as to why you need to contact the school as you say in your op that it was never picked up on at school. The employer has a duty to identify and make reasonable adjustments for an employee that has disclosed a disability should they be required or asked for. That could include as part of the work place assessment a work place statement. In my experience Charities and Unions won't intervene, and it is probably best that they aren't invited to, they cause enough problems as it is." I have a friend who has just been diagnosed with dyslexia and dyspraxia. The company we work for would not pay the cost of a diagnosis and although we have occupational health they insisted on an official diagnosis. She went to an official charity for our industry and they funded the diagnosis for her. | |||
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"As far as I know employers are not obliged to pay for tests. A union may help out or a charity related to your industry. Have you asked for any reasonable adjustments in relation to your dyspraxia? Most employers won't provide these until they have seen a report which details the disability and suggests what they should be doing. I am confused as to why you need to contact the school as you say in your op that it was never picked up on at school. The employer has a duty to identify and make reasonable adjustments for an employee that has disclosed a disability should they be required or asked for. That could include as part of the work place assessment a work place statement. In my experience Charities and Unions won't intervene, and it is probably best that they aren't invited to, they cause enough problems as it is. I have a friend who has just been diagnosed with dyslexia and dyspraxia. The company we work for would not pay the cost of a diagnosis and although we have occupational health they insisted on an official diagnosis. She went to an official charity for our industry and they funded the diagnosis for her. " Oh OK, but as I said earlier employers should make use of Access to Work through Job Centre Plus, they may have to make a nominal contribution for employees that have been working in the business for longer than six months, but that is what the scheme is for. Most occupational health practitioners know about it and will sign post employees and employers. The OP needs to say whether or not occ health has been involved at her work place so we have a better idea of what advice to give. | |||
" Firstly you have self disclosed as being a disabled person. Your employer has no right to request evidence. That would be direct discrimination. " . The employer has no right to request for evidence? I make it a point to ask for evidence if any of my staff makes any kind of claim. How do we know it's genuine then? | |||
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"So when I applied for my job, I said I had a learning difficulty called dyspraxia. I have never been tested as it was never picked up on at school, bearing in mind it only came about 10 years ago. My work have now asked for proof, I have been to my GP 4 times asking to be tested and have been told every time that I'm not eligible for the test due to my age. If I didn't have a learning difficulty I wouldn't need to have gone to a special needs school.
They think I'm lying about it, because I can't get proof. Why the fuck would I lie?
So where do I stand now?"Try not to get combative with your firm without knowing why they are asking: you will only come across as difficult. Any firm can ask you to substantiate anything on your cv as soon as they are made aware that there is a potential issue. Yes they should have picked up on it earlier, but we are all human, and maybe they are simply trying to rectify it now. There are many reasonable reasons that your employer could be asking for this, their simple duty of care to you being the simplest one. Under H&S, you have to co-operate with any reasonable investigation. They have asked for a diagnosis, tell them simply that your GP will not provide a free one, and ask them if they will pay for one. This is normal, every firm I have worked for we have paid for any reasonable GP costs, though if the employee can get it for free, that's better. (This included the chap from whom we took away the right to self-certify for being sick.) If they are serious about wanting it - they will pay. If you suspect the reason is because there is an issue with your work, then there are other considerations you will need to bear mind. Most of these will depend how long you've worked there. However a clever HR depart will always claim the reasons are out of concern for your welfare, so you have to be careful. I have played the game from both sides, and never lost yet. Good luck. Mr ddc | |||
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" Firstly you have self disclosed as being a disabled person. Your employer has no right to request evidence. That would be direct discrimination. . The employer has no right to request for evidence? I make it a point to ask for evidence if any of my staff makes any kind of claim. How do we know it's genuine then?" claim? this a disclosure not a claim, check out the Equality Act 2010 in particular around protected characteristics, as an employer you have no such business just refer your employee to Occ Health, they will be able to assess the individual and supply you a report. | |||
"This is difficult as we only have one side of the story. Certain employers do positively discriminate when selecting for inter_iew if someone has declared a disability, there could also be many other reasons why they need to confirm the diagnosis. Expert advice is needed to resolve this one." All employers are allowed to positively discriminate in favour of a disabled person, when short listing for inter_iew; and when deciding which applicant to appoint, unfortunately in the words of Michael Cane "not a lot of people know that" | |||
"This is difficult as we only have one side of the story. Certain employers do positively discriminate when selecting for inter_iew if someone has declared a disability, there could also be many other reasons why they need to confirm the diagnosis. Expert advice is needed to resolve this one. All employers are allowed to positively discriminate in favour of a disabled person, when short listing for inter_iew; and when deciding which applicant to appoint, unfortunately in the words of Michael Cane "not a lot of people know that"" Yes and the knock on effects of appointing someone who has declared a disability and is then unable to provide a diagnosis could be relevant here but as I said we only know one half of the story so its impossible to advise really. | |||
"This is difficult as we only have one side of the story. Certain employers do positively discriminate when selecting for inter_iew if someone has declared a disability, there could also be many other reasons why they need to confirm the diagnosis. Expert advice is needed to resolve this one. All employers are allowed to positively discriminate in favour of a disabled person, when short listing for inter_iew; and when deciding which applicant to appoint, unfortunately in the words of Michael Cane "not a lot of people know that" Yes and the knock on effects of appointing someone who has declared a disability and is then unable to provide a diagnosis could be relevant here but as I said we only know one half of the story so its impossible to advise really." If it mattered, I'd have expected them to ask much earlier, like when the successful candidate was selected, during reference checks and such like, not after a year. I agree we only have one side but it does smell a bit of disability discrimination. Having a disability and declaring it doesn't give an employer any more right to medical files or history than with anyone else. They can ask but they can't insist, as far as I know. Of course, they can decline to employ anyone who refuses, but when a someone is already in post, and has been for a year, it's a bit late. On another note, not related to the quoted post, even if the diagnosis is not dyspraxia (and I'm not suggesting it isn't), the OP disclosed having a learning difficulty. Surely having attended a special needs school is evidence enough there? Had the OP not disclosed the condition, and her employer later checked and realised her school was a special needs school, they could well have queried why it wasn't mentioned. | |||
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"Is your workplace possibly merging, closing or being taken over? There are lots of reasons that an employer may have to look at an application again. You need to meet with HR and remind them of the Disability Discrimination Act, explain that you have tried to comply with their request and that the request is now affecting you. Ask why they now want to question your application and that you signed the declaration that all information given is truthful because, to your knowledge, it is. Get support and good luck. " Much more diplomatic than my suggestion
I'll admit I tend to be intolerant of employers demanding access to medical information and history, unless the reason is clearly stated and reasonable, because I have a health problem which has lead, in the past, to employers asking for far more information than they needed and then misusing it.
I took one employer to an employment tribunal over it. I was successful but it took nearly a year and was stressful beyond belief. It reduced my tolerance for this sort of crap to zero.
Having a health condition or a disability doesn't give an employer any more right to invade your privacy than with anyone else, though many seem to think otherwise. | |||
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"This is difficult as we only have one side of the story. Certain employers do positively discriminate when selecting for inter_iew if someone has declared a disability, there could also be many other reasons why they need to confirm the diagnosis. Expert advice is needed to resolve this one. All employers are allowed to positively discriminate in favour of a disabled person, when short listing for inter_iew; and when deciding which applicant to appoint, unfortunately in the words of Michael Cane "not a lot of people know that" Yes and the knock on effects of appointing someone who has declared a disability and is then unable to provide a diagnosis could be relevant here but as I said we only know one half of the story so its impossible to advise really. If it mattered, I'd have expected them to ask much earlier, like when the successful candidate was selected, during reference checks and such like, not after a year. I agree we only have one side but it does smell a bit of disability discrimination. Having a disability and declaring it doesn't give an employer any more right to medical files or history than with anyone else. They can ask but they can't insist, as far as I know. Of course, they can decline to employ anyone who refuses, but when a someone is already in post, and has been for a year, it's a bit late. On another note, not related to the quoted post, even if the diagnosis is not dyspraxia (and I'm not suggesting it isn't), the OP disclosed having a learning difficulty. Surely having attended a special needs school is evidence enough there? Had the OP not disclosed the condition, and her employer later checked and realised her school was a special needs school, they could well have queried why it wasn't mentioned. " Well we don't know why they're asking which leaves us only able to advise where to seek advice really. I agree that asking for access to medical files is not acceptable based on what we know. | |||
"If I was inter_iewing you, then as long as you were capable of fulfilling the role to which you were applying then I would have no problems at all with employing you. I used to work as a manager employing people who had do deal with members of the public on a daily basis. Spelling was not an issue and nor should it ever be. Good luck
Are you confusing dyspraxia with dyslexia?"I was thinking the same. Dispraxics have coordination problems. | |||
"Being devils advocate if you've never been diagnosed hiw do you know you are dyspraxic? Maybe your employers have decided that there is no evidence of your claimed disability and feel that you lied on your application? " That's where I'm confused too. The op clearly states they've never had a diagnosis, it was never picked up in school despite going to a special needs school so can I ask who actually says you have dyspraxia? | |||
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" That's where I'm confused too. The op clearly states they've never had a diagnosis, it was never picked up in school despite going to a special needs school so can I ask who actuallyo says you have dyspraxia?" That's, sort of, the point. All these posts about the Equalities Act only apply if the OP has a recognised disability. Plus all the 'helpful' posts from the union types only help if the OP has a decent, functioning HR dept. Maybe her employer simply missed it on her cv, and is now trying to make amends, and ensure that her workplace works to everyone's best advantage. Stage 1 can only ever be to fully co-operate with your employers attempts to get a proper diagnosis, for which they should willingly pay. Most GPs tend to jump more if someone waves a cheque at them. | |||
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"Being devils advocate if you've never been diagnosed hiw do you know you are dyspraxic? Maybe your employers have decided that there is no evidence of your claimed disability and feel that you lied on your application? That's where I'm confused too. The op clearly states they've never had a diagnosis, it was never picked up in school despite going to a special needs school so can I ask who actually says you have dyspraxia?" It's no more complicated than the schools don't request a medical diagnosis by a professional in the field. The school will recognise a child's difficulty and respond accordingly. The parent/legal guardian would need to make further arrangements towards a professional diagnosis, which, as far as I'm aware, cannot be refused for a child attending a special needs school. Any parent with a child that has been flagged in this way 'at school' should request a medical diagnosis for the reasons I have stated above and the op is now experiencing at a later age. | |||
"As far as I know employers are not obliged to pay for tests. A union may help out or a charity related to your industry. Have you asked for any reasonable adjustments in relation to your dyspraxia? Most employers won't provide these until they have seen a report which details the disability and suggests what they should be doing. I am confused as to why you need to contact the school as you say in your op that it was never picked up on at school. " No I never asked for anything | |||
"i was empoyed twice by the same person with them knowing i was epeleptic and ran the shop for them while they went on holiday , and then got a letter from a solicitor saying they thought i was a danger in the work place the cab were fantastic and wanted me to sue but the stress of it all made me ill , stick at it i wish i had xxx" Don't blame yourself for not sticking with it. It's an awful experience to go through. I'm far too stubborn to have dropped it but it did make me ill. I do wonder sometimes if I made the right decision because I had a full relapse as a result. | |||
"ask the school that 'diagnosed' you then. i only put 'diagnosed' like that, cause its not like an official dr's diagnosis lol.. i'm sure they will help if they still have your records on hand. if not, depending how long you have been at your workplace, they might have to prove whether or not you have a problem with it. (sorry i can't be more help )
I've been at my work place for a year now. What really pissed me off is that one of the team leaders on my unit went through my file, which isn't allowed, and asked about getting proof"Why do you need proof? Is it affecting your work? Do they have an occupational health team who could assess you? I think what you should look into is have they got the right to demand proof? Are you in a union or proffesional body? | |||
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"I have dyspraxia and I'm curious too why you have seemingly self diagnosed? Mine was picked up at primary school and went through testing with the drs for many years, it's all in writing and I can get it from my records whenever I need to..... BUT you don't have it if you have self diagnosed, it could be something different completely and you lied on an application form/cv which gives an employer rights to terminate I'm assuming And my testing started when I was 5, so by my reckoning when you entered schooling the advances would have been there to spot the difficulty. ....... MR S " Yes, this important question doesn't appear to have been answered by the OP despite being asked by myself and one or two others. As per, people go off on a tangent quoting this law and that law, often conflicting each other, or fill the page with biased, supportive opinions based on their own experiences without knowing the full facts of this one. | |||
"Being devils advocate if you've never been diagnosed hiw do you know you are dyspraxic? Maybe your employers have decided that there is no evidence of your claimed disability and feel that you lied on your application? " Why on earth would I lie about having a learning difficulty? 
I've had it all my life, I know I'm dyspraxic.
There is no evidence because I cant get tested | |||
"I have dyspraxia and I'm curious too why you have seemingly self diagnosed? Mine was picked up at primary school and went through testing with the drs for many years, it's all in writing and I can get it from my records whenever I need to..... BUT you don't have it if you have self diagnosed, it could be something different completely and you lied on an application form/cv which gives an employer rights to terminate I'm assuming And my testing started when I was 5, so by my reckoning when you entered schooling the advances would have been there to spot the difficulty. ....... MR S " No I wouldn't lie about having a learning difficulty if I didn't have one. I took an online assessment which said I am 98% dyspraxic, I cannot get tested because I have been refused by my doctors on the basis that I am too old and that the test is primarily for kids. It was never picked up at school because they thought I was just a slow learner | |||
"I have dyspraxia and I'm curious too why you have seemingly self diagnosed? Mine was picked up at primary school and went through testing with the drs for many years, it's all in writing and I can get it from my records whenever I need to..... BUT you don't have it if you have self diagnosed, it could be something different completely and you lied on an application form/cv which gives an employer rights to terminate I'm assuming And my testing started when I was 5, so by my reckoning when you entered schooling the advances would have been there to spot the difficulty. ....... MR S Yes, this important question doesn't appear to have been answered by the OP despite being asked by myself and one or two others. As per, people go off on a tangent quoting this law and that law, often conflicting each other, or fill the page with biased, supportive opinions based on their own experiences without knowing the full facts of this one." The reason why I haven't answered is because I have only just finished work | |||
"ask the school that 'diagnosed' you then. i only put 'diagnosed' like that, cause its not like an official dr's diagnosis lol.. i'm sure they will help if they still have your records on hand. if not, depending how long you have been at your workplace, they might have to prove whether or not you have a problem with it. (sorry i can't be more help )
I've been at my work place for a year now. What really pissed me off is that one of the team leaders on my unit went through my file, which isn't allowed, and asked about getting proof
Why do you need proof? Is it affecting your work? Do they have an occupational health team who could assess you?
I think what you should look into is have they got the right to demand proof? Are you in a union or proffesional body?"My dyspraxia isn't affecting my job but they wanted proof months ago | |||
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"Is there an online test you can do where you could show the results.. not an easy problem to solve.. is your dispraxia mentioned in any documents such as school reports... perhaps you could just explain that there are issues with having an authoritative diagnosis which may have been thought to impede your career... good luck xx " I have done a test online but it was ages ago. It was never picked up at school. My best friend who is 18 months older than me, went to a normal school and got tested at 8, and didn't need to go to a special needs school | |||
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"Well inbox me this "assessment" and we shall see how accurate it is then. I'm not getting on your back but if you think u have it then pay privately to be tested. Surely it's possible as not a chance in God's earth I believe online "assessment" could accurately give you a result of a very complex ailment " Its £500 to be tested privately, which is money I don't have | |||
" My dyspraxia isn't affecting my job but they wanted proof months ago" But that's not quite true is it? I don't like speculating, but you have already admitted that you have been spoken to about your working relationship with other staff, and that it is you who have frequently raised the issue of your dyspraxia, not just someone 'going through your files'. It is really not unreasonable for an employer to ask for a professional impact assessment, especially if you work with vulnerable adults, which it sounds like you do. Perhaps it would be simpler to ask exactly what advice you are seeking? Are you trying to keep your job, or are you wondering if there is the possibility of some sort of claim? | |||
"ask the school that 'diagnosed' you then. i only put 'diagnosed' like that, cause its not like an official dr's diagnosis lol.. i'm sure they will help if they still have your records on hand. if not, depending how long you have been at your workplace, they might have to prove whether or not you have a problem with it. (sorry i can't be more help )
I've been at my work place for a year now. What really pissed me off is that one of the team leaders on my unit went through my file, which isn't allowed, and asked about getting proof"That's a hr issue and against the law | |||
" My dyspraxia isn't affecting my job but they wanted proof months ago But that's not quite true is it? I don't like speculating, but you have already admitted that you have been spoken to about your working relationship with other staff, and that it is you who have frequently raised the issue of your dyspraxia, not just someone 'going through your files'. It is really not unreasonable for an employer to ask for a professional impact assessment, especially if you work with vulnerable adults, which it sounds like you do. Perhaps it would be simpler to ask exactly what advice you are seeking? Are you trying to keep your job, or are you wondering if there is the possibility of some sort of claim?" she has worked there for a full year why ask for proof now , they could have got rid off her if she wasnt doing her job properly | |||
" she has worked there for a full year why ask for proof now , they could have got rid off her if she wasnt doing her job properly " Please don't ask me to speculate, once I start calling a spade a spade soome people feel I come across as a tad harsh. Look at it another way. If you had a relative who had dementia, would you want the reassurance that the company who was arranging their care took issues seriously as they arose? Only the OP can answer my question, and I feel it is valid under the circumstances. And sorry Jacs, illegal is a care company ignoring a valid concern raised with a team leader. | |||
" My dyspraxia isn't affecting my job but they wanted proof months ago But that's not quite true is it? I don't like speculating, but you have already admitted that you have been spoken to about your working relationship with other staff, and that it is you who have frequently raised the issue of your dyspraxia, not just someone 'going through your files'. It is really not unreasonable for an employer to ask for a professional impact assessment, especially if you work with vulnerable adults, which it sounds like you do. Perhaps it would be simpler to ask exactly what advice you are seeking? Are you trying to keep your job, or are you wondering if there is the possibility of some sort of claim?" One of the team leaders on my unit had gone through my file, without my permission and asked if I'd been tested. Yes I had spoken to my colleagues about me having dyspraxia because they asked what learning difficulty I have. Why would I use a learning difficulty to make a claim? Claim for what? Nothing! | |||
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"Blag it. Find out why you went to your old school and if you were diagnosed or suspected to have something. If there's nothing in their records, then just say you genuinely thought you'd been sent to that school for having dyspraxia. I think the law only applies when you can prove that a person intended to break that law. At least you did go to a school for people with learning difficulties so it backs up this story." Thank you for your support hun xxx | |||
" Are you trying to keep your job, or are you wondering if there is the possibility of some sort of claim? One of the team leaders on my unit had gone through my file, without my permission and asked if I'd been tested. Yes I had spoken to my colleagues about me having dyspraxia because they asked what learning difficulty I have. Why would I use a learning difficulty to make a claim? Claim for what? Nothing!" A claim for unfair dismissal,.a claim for constructive dismissal, a claim for discrimination under the Equality Act... So what exactly are you asking? Are you asking if they should pay for your assessment? Yes. Or is it something else? | |||
"I think the law only applies when you can prove that a person intended to break that law. At least you did go to a school for people with learning difficulties so it backs up this story." Sorry this is wrong. The consequences to illegal actions are harsher if you intended to break the law. Apologies will help as well, apologise for accidently giving them the wrong information but always express you thought it was the truth. More likely to get away with it then. And it does seem you did think it was the truth but no specialist has confirmed it. | |||
"So when I applied for my job, I said I had a learning difficulty called dyspraxia. I have never been tested as it was never picked up on at school, bearing in mind it only came about 10 years ago. My work have now asked for proof, I have been to my GP 4 times asking to be tested and have been told every time that I'm not eligible for the test due to my age. If I didn't have a learning difficulty I wouldn't need to have gone to a special needs school.
They think I'm lying about it, because I can't get proof. Why the fuck would I lie?
So where do I stand now?"What difference would it make to the job, if you had it or didn't have it? Do you need to be excused from some work duties because of it, and that's why they want proof? | |||
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"I think the law only applies when you can prove that a person intended to break that law. At least you did go to a school for people with learning difficulties so it backs up this story. Sorry this is wrong. The consequences to illegal actions are harsher if you intended to break the law. Apologies will help as well, apologise for accidently giving them the wrong information but always express you thought it was the truth. More likely to get away with it then. And it does seem you did think it was the truth but no specialist has confirmed it." If i had £500 spare, I'd pay for the testing, but I don't, so I can't. I worked in community care before this job looking after people with disabilities and I never once got told to provide proof | |||
"I may have missed the answer to this, but if they asked for proof months ago, and you have done nothing...?." I have been to the doctors 4 times and they have refused to test me each time. Only thing I can do is pay £500 for test to be done privately | |||
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"ask them to refer you to an Occupational Health Unit" Noted, thank you | |||
" Are you trying to keep your job, or are you wondering if there is the possibility of some sort of claim? One of the team leaders on my unit had gone through my file, without my permission and asked if I'd been tested. Yes I had spoken to my colleagues about me having dyspraxia because they asked what learning difficulty I have. Why would I use a learning difficulty to make a claim? Claim for what? Nothing! A claim for unfair dismissal,.a claim for constructive dismissal, a claim for discrimination under the Equality Act... So what exactly are you asking? Are you asking if they should pay for your assessment? Yes. Or is it something else?" Why should they pay for the assessment? | |||
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"So when I applied for my job, I said I had a learning difficulty called dyspraxia. I have never been tested as it was never picked up on at school, bearing in mind it only came about 10 years ago. My work have now asked for proof, I have been to my GP 4 times asking to be tested and have been told every time that I'm not eligible for the test due to my age. If I didn't have a learning difficulty I wouldn't need to have gone to a special needs school.
They think I'm lying about it, because I can't get proof. Why the fuck would I lie?
So where do I stand now?
What difference would it make to the job, if you had it or didn't have it?
Do you need to be excused from some work duties because of it, and that's why they want proof?"No I don't need to be excused of anything | |||
"What I don't get is why now us it only being questioned Have you had issues at work to make them look into medical records a year after being with the company" No they've never looked at my medical records | |||
"What I don't get is why now us it only being questioned Have you had issues at work to make them look into medical records a year after being with the company No they've never looked at my medical records " When you was taken on. Did they ask you anything about dyspraxia and how it affects you and the role? | |||
"The consequences to illegal actions are harsher if you intended to break the law. Apologies will help as well, apologise for accidently giving them the wrong information but always express you thought it was the truth. More likely to get away with it then. And it does seem you did think it was the truth but no specialist has confirmed it. If i had £500 spare, I'd pay for the testing, but I don't, so I can't. I worked in community care before this job looking after people with disabilities and I never once got told to provide proof." The fact that they are waiting so long for the information they wanted and haven't given you any disciplinary action so far looks good for you, in my opinion. I've been googling and can't find anything definite about whether you have to tell your employer the info they're asking for or not. Might be better off asking your old school if they know anyone who can help for free? I know citizens advice would be good help but they often have long waiting times just to see them. | |||
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" Why should they pay for the assessment? " Because they are asking an employee to do something which is extraneous to their contract. Plus it is good practice, and makes an employer look caring and compassionate should they ever be brought up before a tribunal. Telling your employer "I would love to cooperate, but I can't afford to" puts the ball firmly back in their court. I once had to pay for exactly this sort of thing, as an employer. | |||
" Why should they pay for the assessment? Because they are asking an employee to do something which is extraneous to their contract. Plus it is good practice, and makes an employer look caring and compassionate should they ever be brought up before a tribunal. Telling your employer "I would love to cooperate, but I can't afford to" puts the ball firmly back in their court. I once had to pay for exactly this sort of thing, as an employer." But it's not extraneous to the contract. I am sure any contract of employment would say that it is the employers responsibility to provide, when asked evidence of anything disclosed on application or CV. We know the op did disclose it even though they haven't had an official assessment. I'll agree I'd be questioning the reason behind the sudden interest if I was in their position but there is no onus on the employer to pay. If they want to then that is another question but at £500 a pop I'd wager that's an expense most employers aren't going to swallow. | |||
" Why should they pay for the assessment? Because they are asking an employee to do something which is extraneous to their contract. Plus it is good practice, and makes an employer look caring and compassionate should they ever be brought up before a tribunal. Telling your employer "I would love to cooperate, but I can't afford to" puts the ball firmly back in their court. I once had to pay for exactly this sort of thing, as an employer." Me too. If you ask for information do it right and avoid a claim! | |||
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"The bda website say that most large companies and the public sector would be expectedly pay for an assessment and smaller companies could offer to help contribute to the costs. And expectation, not a requirement. " The test is always what is reasonable. We don't know why the OP's employers are requesting the information but the request has to be reasonable. The OP gas said she can't afford to get tested and if the employer insists that a test is what they want then contributing would be reasonable. However, we don't know what level of proof the employer will accept and it may well be very much below a full assessment. | |||
"What I don't get is why now us it only being questioned Have you had issues at work to make them look into medical records a year after being with the company No they've never looked at my medical records When you was taken on. Did they ask you anything about dyspraxia and how it affects you and the role?" Absolutely nothing! So why the sudden interest is beyond me! | |||
" But it's not extraneous to the contract. I am sure any contract of employment would say that it is the employers responsibility to provide, when asked evidence of anything disclosed on application or CV. We know the op did disclose it even though they haven't had an official assessment. I'll agree I'd be questioning the reason behind the sudden interest if I was in their position but there is no onus on the employer to pay. If they want to then that is another question but at £500 a pop I'd wager that's an expense most employers aren't going to swallow. " I wouldn't say you're wrong Evie, but: I have physics A level, but the certificate was sent, in error, to the school from which I was expelled. So on my cv I say I have the A level, (even though I cannot prove it). A firm could offer me a job, 'subject to provision of a proper A level certificate' and I would have to choose whether I wanted the job enough to pay for a copy-certificate myself, or not. However, once I was in the job, if they asked for it then, I would simply say I didn't have one, but I would gladly arrange one if they were happy to pay for it. They could not sack me because provision of the certificate was never part of my job description, and I had not refused a reasonable request, just pointed out it was not possible for me. In the OP's case, there are some people who think the company.is trying to prove she lied on her cv, so they can sack her. Maybe, but as Irenic said, the OP simply has to say that she was told she had it when she was 12, has never had any reason to doubt it, so put it on her cv in good faith. Even if they paid for a separate assessment today and it showed she didn't have it, that wouldn't be evidence that she lied, just that her diagnosis 10 years ago was different. On the other hand, the company may be trying to assess whether they should be doing anything special under the Equality Act, or simply considering whether they need to carry out a separate risk assessment. £500 is a lot to you, me and the OP, but the cost of getting it wrong to a small firm is far greater. But at least they have the choice to either pay for it to be done, or accept the OP at her word. Often in these situations, if we assume the employer has negative ulterior motives, it colours everything that follows and this often drives things down dark paths that are best avoided. Sadly OP, I think this may be where you are headed, so I hope you find someone with a torch and a helping hand to see you through it. You also need to bear in mind that companies who work in dementia care are very much in the news at the minute, so they will be wanting to make sure every t is crossed exactly correctly. | |||
" But it's not extraneous to the contract. I am sure any contract of employment would say that it is the employers responsibility to provide, when asked evidence of anything disclosed on application or CV. We know the op did disclose it even though they haven't had an official assessment. I'll agree I'd be questioning the reason behind the sudden interest if I was in their position but there is no onus on the employer to pay. If they want to then that is another question but at £500 a pop I'd wager that's an expense most employers aren't going to swallow. I wouldn't say you're wrong Evie, but: I have physics A level, but the certificate was sent, in error, to the school from which I was expelled. So on my cv I say I have the A level, (even though I cannot prove it). A firm could offer me a job, 'subject to provision of a proper A level certificate' and I would have to choose whether I wanted the job enough to pay for a copy-certificate myself, or not. However, once I was in the job, if they asked for it then, I would simply say I didn't have one, but I would gladly arrange one if they were happy to pay for it. They could not sack me because provision of the certificate was never part of my job description, and I had not refused a reasonable request, just pointed out it was not possible for me. In the OP's case, there are some people who think the company.is trying to prove she lied on her cv, so they can sack her. Maybe, but as Irenic said, the OP simply has to say that she was told she had it when she was 12, has never had any reason to doubt it, so put it on her cv in good faith. Even if they paid for a separate assessment today and it showed she didn't have it, that wouldn't be evidence that she lied, just that her diagnosis 10 years ago was different. On the other hand, the company may be trying to assess whether they should be doing anything special under the Equality Act, or simply considering whether they need to carry out a separate risk assessment. £500 is a lot to you, me and the OP, but the cost of getting it wrong to a small firm is far greater. But at least they have the choice to either pay for it to be done, or accept the OP at her word. Often in these situations, if we assume the employer has negative ulterior motives, it colours everything that follows and this often drives things down dark paths that are best avoided. Sadly OP, I think this may be where you are headed, so I hope you find someone with a torch and a helping hand to see you through it. You also need to bear in mind that companies who work in dementia care are very much in the news at the minute, so they will be wanting to make sure every t is crossed exactly correctly." Thank you hun, really appreciate it x | |||
