Guidance for individuals

In this section:

  When should I tell my employer about my disability?

  Who needs to know?

  Explaining my dyslexia to others

 

When should I tell my employer about my disability?

It is your choice whether or not to disclose that you have dyslexia to your employer, although you will need to disclose it if you need support. If you do decide to disclose it, you can do so at any of the following stages:

• On an application form
• Before or at an interview
• When you have been offered a job
• When you start a job, or;
• During employment.

Obviously, the earlier you disclose, the quicker your support package can be put in place to meet your needs. Dyslexia is specific to the individual and is nothing to be ashamed of. Many people see their dyslexia as an advantage.

Please remember that Reasonable Adjustments can only be made during the recruitment process if individuals have declared their disability/ies and identified their specific needs.

 

Who needs to know?

You can disclose to whoever you feel safest with, but over time the following people will need to know:

• Your line manager
• People and Culture (Employee Relations Advisor)
• Colleagues (optional but should be encouraged).

If or when you disclose to others, remember to:

• Be honest.
• Give information on your areas of strengths and weaknesses.
• Clarify what dyslexia or dyspraxia means to you.
• If you have already completed an assessment, discuss what adjustments need to be made and why, and;
• Emphasise your strengths and explain how you use them to fulfil your potential.

“Living with dyslexia can be a challenge but working with the tools that I have been provided with and the right support I’m able to work effectivity. Sharing my challenges with colleagues allows them to understand my needs and how they can support me. We all have different strengths and difficulties and that’s what teamwork is about!”

Adele Fox – Deputy Director for Forensic Care Group

 

Explaining my dyslexia to others

Some people with dyslexia find it hard and embarrassing when they decide to tell people about their dyslexia. Feelings of being seen as “less than” or that they will now be labelled as ‘disabled’ may come into their minds.

“   I know from my own journey how difficult it was to tell people. I got a diagnosis while away at university doing my nurse training. The tutor wanted me to contact my work base so I could get some support and possible resources to help me, but at that time I felt I could not do that. I did not feel I would have been supported and was worried I would not be able to return there when I had finished my training. I was in post as a staff nurse for 10 years before I told my work colleagues”.

Mick Beevers   – Team Leader for Wellbeing and Retention, Rampton Hospital

When talking to line managers and colleagues, there are times when you may need to be more specific. Remember that people with dyslexia are not “less than” and that managers and colleagues are there to support you. It is important that you are honest about everything you find difficult, but emphasise ways you have found to get around these problems, for example:

• "My spelling is poor, so I use a spellchecker, I ask a colleague to proofread any important documents", or;
• "I sometimes have to work harder and in a different way".

“I have been a nurse for 21 years working in the RAF and in many different care settings. Having the support and understanding of others around me and the right tools, training, and mentoring means that my disability has never stopped me from being able to do my job to a high standard”.

Emma Cope - Occupational Health Nurse

 

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