Gillian wrote... > It's a problem when the doctors suggest you change your > job but when you are over 40 it's worse, but don't let it beat > you!!!!!!!!! >
> I saw my Doc today and she also suggested I change careers. Anyone got any advice for a 40 something female whose whole life since the age of 17 has been attached to a keyboard of some kind. I have also just had to give up my course in Kinesiology which I was hoping to go on and make a new career out of due to RSI.
Regards. Moira
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i am currently trying to find a different type of job as in not a lot of typing but am having no luck, i have tried applying for other work but no one seems to want to employ me, i dont blame them though! if you had an applicant with RSI and one without with both the same qualifications which one would you choose?
Caelica ----- Original Message ----- From: Moira Nicolson <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Monday, June 12, 2000 8:10 PM Subject: Re: changing jobs
> > > Gillian wrote... > > It's a problem when the doctors suggest you change your > > job but when you are over 40 it's worse, but don't let it beat > > you!!!!!!!!! > > > > > I saw my Doc today and she also suggested I change careers. Anyone got > any advice for a 40 something female whose whole life since the age of 17 > has been attached to a keyboard of some kind. I have also just had to give > up my course in Kinesiology which I was hoping to go on and make a new > career out of due to RSI. > > Regards. Moira > > > > > > > > ******************************************************************* > Unsubscribing: send a blank e-mail to [email protected] > FAQ: http://www.rsi-uk.org.uk/faq.txt > Archives: http://www.rsi-uk.org.uk/archive > RSI-UK website: http://www.rsi-uk.org.uk > ******************************************************************** > > >
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>Anyone got >any advice for a 40 something female whose whole life since the age of 17 >has been attached to a keyboard of some kind. I have also just had to give >up my course in Kinesiology which I was hoping to go on and make a new >career out of due to RSI.
I've occasionally toyed with the idea of homeopathy - but how to fund the training if you're not working? And how to be able to study (more writing/keyboarding) if you are??
This message may have been typed, but on a bad RSI day it will have been created with voice-recognition software: please ignore any dictation errors I failed to notice. ___________________________________________________________________________
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Well, if a prospective employee could convince me he/she could produce typing work at over 160 wpm (what the best voice-recognition software can achieve) I think I'd be quite interested!
IMHO, this is one area in which people with RSI who were once keyboard users have an advantage - especially if you were a keyboard user using all the shortcut keys rather than a mousist. We won't have it for too long, as people without RSI are going to want to start using it, but it's a foot in the door, I should think, in a lot of situations.
Cannot your employment centre (PACT group perhaps?) or perhaps a typing employment agency, arrange a "taster" session? If you then armed yourself with some facts and figures from computer magazines, or perhaps some personal testimonials from voicerecognition users, that might be a way. The cost of buying the Professional version of DragonNaturallySpeaking is about £350 - before my employees bought it for me, I had bought a lower-grade version for £40 - but I did in fact offer to pay off the cost week by week out of my own salary. You might not want to do that, but it might persuade a sceptical prospective employer how serious you were - and if he did take you up on your offer, he couldn't lose, could he? Even if you left, he'd still have the software installed on his machine.
Lots of luck!
Caelica wrote: > > i am currently trying to find a different type of job as in not a lot of > typing but am having no luck, i have tried applying for other work but no > one seems to want to employ me, i dont blame them though! if you had an > applicant with RSI and one without with both the same qualifications which > one would you choose? > >
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to be perfectly honest i have been thinking about the voice recognition software but not sure how to go about finding more details as in costs and where to get it from etc. i am hopeing to get an ergonomics keyboard for home but currently am extremely skint and overdrawn so will have to wait until i find another job now!
Caelica ----- Original Message ----- From: Christine Wilson <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Tuesday, June 13, 2000 8:57 PM Subject: Re: changing jobs
> Well, if a prospective employee could convince me he/she could produce > typing work at over 160 wpm (what the best voice-recognition software > can achieve) I think I'd be quite interested! > > IMHO, this is one area in which people with RSI who were once keyboard > users have an advantage - especially if you were a keyboard user using > all the shortcut keys rather than a mousist. We won't have it for too > long, as people without RSI are going to want to start using it, but > it's a foot in the door, I should think, in a lot of situations. > > Cannot your employment centre (PACT group perhaps?) or perhaps a typing > employment agency, arrange a "taster" session? If you then armed > yourself with some facts and figures from computer magazines, or perhaps > some personal testimonials from voicerecognition users, that might be a > way. The cost of buying the Professional version of > DragonNaturallySpeaking is about £350 - before my employees bought it > for me, I had bought a lower-grade version for £40 - but I did in fact > offer to pay off the cost week by week out of my own salary. You might > not want to do that, but it might persuade a sceptical prospective > employer how serious you were - and if he did take you up on your offer, > he couldn't lose, could he? Even if you left, he'd still have the > software installed on his machine. > > Lots of luck! > > > Caelica wrote: > > > > i am currently trying to find a different type of job as in not a lot of > > typing but am having no luck, i have tried applying for other work but no > > one seems to want to employ me, i dont blame them though! if you had an > > applicant with RSI and one without with both the same qualifications which > > one would you choose? > > > > > > > > ******************************************************************* > Unsubscribing: send a blank e-mail to [email protected] > FAQ: http://www.rsi-uk.org.uk/faq.txt > Archives: http://www.rsi-uk.org.uk/archive > RSI-UK website: http://www.rsi-uk.org.uk > ******************************************************************** > > >
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Due to my employers recent attitude towards my RSI, as in they did not cause it, I brought it on myself and they have helped me all they can and don't want to hear anymore about it, I have decided that it is time for me to move on and find a job where my employers will treat me like a human being! As my RSI started in my current employment, I have never been in a position before where I need special equipment to enable me to work relatively pain free. Can anyone advise me as to how best to approach a potential new employer with my needs. Should I not say anything until I am offered a new job, should I bring it up at the interview or should I put a little note on my CV? Any advice on how best to handle this would be greatly appreciated!
Gemma.
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This is always a sensitive issue. Is it better to be open and honest and run the risk of not getting a better job, or do you suffer in silence and 'deceive' a potential new employer?
On the whole, if you can show through a medical report that you are fit to work, potential employers will not hold your medical condition against you, but they will be within their rights to ask for a medical report before they make a decision.
I believe that if you do not disclose the condition and it stops you from working then they will be entitled to terminate your contract. If you disclose the condition, and they still take you on, then they are bound by law to make all reasonable adjustments to accommodate your disability, and make every effort to assist you throughout your employment with them.
It sounds as though your current employer is trying to put as much distance between you as possible. Again, I believe that they may be breaking the law. Even if they believe they didn't cause it. If their specialist has told them that they didn't cause it, I think they are still bound by law to make reasonable adjustments for you. If they sent you to see a rheumatologist then that might actually be considered as a reasonable step towards making reasonable adjustments for you.
I think it is time you saw a solicitor to confirm your rights. There are many good solicitors around, and many of them (if not most) will give you a free consultation. Litigation is always a last resort so consider carefully any advice you are given. If you go to your local Citizens Advice Bureau first then they will be able to point you in the right direction. It could be that if you feel the need to move on then their attitude MIGHT be construed as constructive unfair dismissal, but this depends on how long that you have been with them. In consultation with a medical specialist and a solicitor it might be that you are deemed to be disabled within the meaning of the Disability Discrimination Act (1996) and that they have broken the law... this applies regardless of the amount of time that you have been with your current employer.
PLEASE confirm any advice I have given in this message with a solicitor/Citizens Advice Bureau. I am NOT a solicitor and have NO legal training. I can only speak from the experience I have. It sounds as though your situation is extremely close to my own.
It is also important that you see your own GP and follow any advice he/she gives you. If you are not happy with the advice then of course seek a second opinion.
Good luck.
Salman.
-----Original Message----- From: Gemma Uden [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Monday, July 31, 2000 10:26 AM To: [email protected] Subject: Changing jobs
Due to my employers recent attitude towards my RSI, as in they did not cause it, I brought it on myself and they have helped me all they can and don't want to hear anymore about it, I have decided that it is time for me to move on and find a job where my employers will treat me like a human being! As my RSI started in my current employment, I have never been in a position before where I need special equipment to enable me to work relatively pain free. Can anyone advise me as to how best to approach a potential new employer with my needs. Should I not say anything until I am offered a new job, should I bring it up at the interview or should I put a little note on my CV? Any advice on how best to handle this would be greatly appreciated!
Gemma.
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Gemma You should contact your local Employment Services Access to Work Disibility team - as they also deal with RSI. They are slow but provide an excellent and much needed service. They assess your needs, ask your employer to buy the equipment in the first instance and then you can claim back the majority of the cost from Employment Services on behalf of your employer. If at all possible I would get all this put in place before moving to the next job. Explain everything to Employment Services (they are very used to negative attitudes from employers/line managers and can even help you with this) and see what they recommend re. when you should move jobs and whether you can take your equipment (PC, voice recognition, chair, pen grips!, desk, admin support while waiting for your equipment etc. etc.). The Disibility Service helpline is 0800 528 0462 to ask for your area office, just in case that doesn't work ask the office I used 020 8218 2600 (North East London incl. the City).
If anyone's employer does support them a little more, I also recommend a charity called Abilitynet who provide assessments also and will recommend certain suppliers. http://www.abilitynet.co.uk/
Look at Abilitynets website anyway, you could even think about getting a job with them or one of their suppliers. Hope this helps, Gillian
-----Original Message----- From: Gemma Uden [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: 31 July 2000 10:26 To: [email protected] Subject: Changing jobs
Due to my employers recent attitude towards my RSI, as in they did not cause it, I brought it on myself and they have helped me all they can and don't want to hear anymore about it, I have decided that it is time for me to move on and find a job where my employers will treat me like a human being! As my RSI started in my current employment, I have never been in a position before where I need special equipment to enable me to work relatively pain free. Can anyone advise me as to how best to approach a potential new employer with my needs. Should I not say anything until I am offered a new job, should I bring it up at the interview or should I put a little note on my CV? Any advice on how best to handle this would be greatly appreciated!
Gemma.
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I have had this same dilemma of when/whether to tell prospective employers I have RSI twice so far. (I developed RSI three years ago during a temporary contract). Recently, I have started a new job and I'll tell you what I did as it seemed to work out fine both times.
When asked for information on the application form, I always give the truth i.e. include details of my RSI. However, I always also mention how I overcome this problem in the workplace .e.g. by using dictation software, so they are aware that I am able to do my job.
If the details are not requested on the application form, I do not mention it on application (this is therefore not withholding information, as they have not requested it). However, If they do not ask for this information on the application form, I always mention it if I'm asked for an interview, as I would not like to turn up on my first day and then have to explain that I have RSI: they need to be aware of it before hand so they can assist you in your job And any alterations you require.
I have therefore always discussed by RSI at interview. I think it is important, as it shows that you are up-front and have nothing to hide. I also use this time to put across how I am still able to do my job but just have to do it by alternative means.
I feel if the employer will be put off interviewing me/giving me a job because of my RSI, I would rather not work for them as they would probably make my life a misery to try and get me out, therefore I see nothing to lose in telling prospective employers of my RSI.
Personally, I firmly believe that it has not hindered my ability to get a job; apart from maybe one occasion: I was invited to an interview but was required to take part in a computer test. I phoned the company and explained about my RSI and that I used dictation software. The person I spoke to was very negative and said "we don't have dictation software here I'm afraid, so I don't know how we can overcome this!" I then felt I had to push and suggest ways around the computer test. After he spoke to the director of the company, he seemed more positive and helpful and we agreed upon a plan of action so that I could take part in the test. However, his first negative reaction to hearing about my RSI upset me and made me feel uneasy about the whole thing, so I cancelled the interview, as I felt if they had a problem with my RSI I didn't want to work for them.
Since, that I landed a job with the Department of health (which did not take long) and I'm very happy as I'm given a lot of support regarding my RSI.
Good luck!
Maria
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i know this is a late reply, but just wanted to add my bit about the Access to Work scheme: i used it last year when re-deployed by my employers, and found them very useful : they forked out a considerable amount of money, all in all, for equipment i needed (eg over 4 hundred pounds for tailor-made chair).
Am now a jobseeker (all equip. is at home with me while i search) and have just been back to see the disability advisor for advice on changing careers. initial steps to be taken: i will go and see a Careers Advisory Service (private co. paid for by DSS), and an Occupational Psychologist (employed by DSS) who will assess 'me' plus my body, do ergonomic tests etc.
After both these things, I may also go see 'Instant Muscle', a job seeking service, so i can make sure my application skills are as good as they can be. I will also get advice on the vbest and most positive way of talking about my RSI (during interview).
I'm v. pleased with these results and advise anyone in similar situation to use their local disability advisors as much as poss.
Cheers
===== Lisa Gerrard
I might have used voice recognition software to write this, or I might just be having a bad hand day; please forgive the errors!
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