Is the Public Sector really equal opportunity

I have GAD also. On a daily basis it’s not been a problem, but every now and then something crops up that starts a bit of a panic attack. I told my superiors about this only recently, having been employed for 7 years and they were fine about it. My direct boss asked me why I didn’t tell her earlier, she said she was sad to think I had suffered privately for such a long time.

I wouldn’t mention it because I don’t think it’s relevant – it might lead to stigma but I just don’t think it’s important so they’d wonder why you’re mentioning it. Could bring it up at pre-employment medical.

I know an APS1 who claims he was specifically hired because of his autism under some opportunity thing. I assume he’s telling the truth.

Is it 20 or 25% of people who have some sort of mental condition at one point or another? I know so many People in the APS who have or have had depression or anxiety or something…It’s super common and IMO not normally the sort of thing you need to mention or which would be held against you.

Say nothing, disclose nothing. IMHO I think that being Indigenous, being over 30 or having a disability is a hindrance to employment or promotion.

Personally, I work in ACT Government and also have GAD. I disclose it in all of my interviews (usually in the “what are your strengths/weaknesses” type question) . Personally I never feel like it has had an impact – I have been offered positions after most interviews. I usually tell my managers too and they are good at understanding if I need to go for a walk to calm myself. Of course – that will differ from person to person.

I believe that my GAD, while meaning I tend to worry to much, also means that I am driven to do my best at any task I am allocated. Sometimes when it isn’t managed, it may mean I am sick for a day, but I don’t think that’s much different to other people. Also – studies show that people with disability actually tend to take less sick days than other employees.

The ACT Government has just brought out a policy on employing people with disability – so it is probably not a bad thing to bring it up.

Good luck!

I am identified in my workplace as a person with a disability and have worked in the APS for 21 years (guess which Dept) but I did not disclose any issues until I had been here for over 10 years.
If the condition impacts the ability to undertake the duties of a APS officer then yes, if not definately NO.

matt31221 said :

In my case I am an electrician, and suffer from OCD. You would think going back and double checking to see if a door is locked would be a disadvantage, or obsessing about a safety issue would be a negative. Not so in the electrical world, I may take a few extra minutes per job but I double check the safety and quality of all the work I have done. Sometimes I will have an obsessive hunch about an aspect of an installation that I didn’t do, and I will inspect it and find something that could become quite dangerous. Some bosses that I have had have got the s***s with me because I have taken a bit longer but the client is always stoked because they know they get quality and safety.
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That’s awesome that you’re in a line of work where something that could be a frustration turns into an asset.

Thank you all for help. I shall simply get my friend to look at this thread now.

So she needs to figure out whether GAD would effect her ability to do her job. Quite honestly speaking from my own experience, even if my condition would effect me doing a job slightly I would still apply and not mention it because what am I going to do? Not go out and get a job and end up bludging off Centre-link benefits? Or keep learning from my mistakes till I am on par ?

I should mention that sometimes having a disability can make you do your job better. In my case I am an electrician, and suffer from OCD. You would think going back and double checking to see if a door is locked would be a disadvantage, or obsessing about a safety issue would be a negative. Not so in the electrical world, I may take a few extra minutes per job but I double check the safety and quality of all the work I have done. Sometimes I will have an obsessive hunch about an aspect of an installation that I didn’t do, and I will inspect it and find something that could become quite dangerous. Some bosses that I have had have got the s***s with me because I have taken a bit longer but the client is always stoked because they know they get quality and safety.

Thanks again for the info.

You’d have to be nuts to advertise a mental condition when applying for a job.

Im in the PBS and would hire a person with a disability if they were the best person for the Job. The problem in my area is the numbers game. We advertised for an APS two Job and received 106 applications, so there is plenty of competition out there. In the end there was a clear winner had experience, had a clear ability to present their knowledge against a criteria and they interviewed well. I really think 75% of the applicants could have done a very good job.

Of course, if you lie, then they have every reason to sack you on the spot.

Just putting that out there….

You do not have to divulge anything of a medical or personal nature unless that information directly relates to your ability to do the required job.

You are well within your rights to say you don’t have any medical conditions if they do not directly relate to your ability to carry out your job, even if you do have an unrelated medical condition.

Of course you are free to divulge that information if you wish.