You are here

Finding a new job with CML

Hi everyone, a question if you able to help.
I am a teacher, part time (two days a week) and my head has just announced that with the budget cuts he will have to make one of the part time teachers redundant from Easter. Bit of a blow. I Won't have a rant about politics but as I am not able to apply for a full time job with little kids still at home I have a bit of a problem. Part time teaching jobs are like gold dust, I am worried that if people see I have CML it will reduce my chances further. Has anyone had trouble finding new work with CML? What can I realistically expect if I am made redundant? I know people are not allowed legally to descriminate but the real picture is often different.
I appreciate your experiences.
Fingers crossed I keep my job!
Thanks
Emma x

Fingers crossed you do keep your job, it's so much easier to stay where you are.
In terms of a new job you don't have to tell a new employer (although you can apply as a candidate with disability which can be helpful) but sometimes its easier to do so at interview. I have had a number of jobs since diagnosis and have always mentioned it at the interview with no negative feedback, in fact people have been interested and generally sympathetic.
Good luck and let us know what happens x

Hi Emma,

It's worth having a look on the Macmillan website. They have some straightforward publications. ACAS are also good to talk to they offer free and independent advice on work related issues and Employment Law; 08457 474747. Even if you consider your current employer to be a 'good' employer don't rely completely on them to know what the law is and to apply it correctly. Contact your union for support if you are in one. CML is a disabilty which gives you a protected characteristic under the Equality Act 2010 and you must be treated fairly in a redundancy situation and in a recruitment exercise.

Forewarned is forearmed.enlightened

Be very cautious in considering hiding your CML from a new employer. If your work or attendance in your new job is affected by a health condition you haven't told them about they may well be within your rights to sack you. This would affect your entitlement to Jobseeker's Allowance and references for a new job. On the other hand, informing an employer may guarantee you an interview.

Hope all goes well. Keep us posted.

Lydia smiley

Hi Emma

I have also changed jobs, since being diagnosed with CML and it wasn't an issue.

I work in higher education, and have worked previously in other areas of the public sector so I imagine that recruitment procedures would be similar to teaching. It seems faily standard procedure on applications in the public sector that you have to fill in some kind of 'health declaration form'. This would normally be sent to occupational health (or equivalent) but would not be seen by the selection/ interview panel. Therefore there's no reason why your CML should be an issue or even raised during an interview unless you raise it yourself. Occupational health should only consider it in terms of support that you might need, otherwise they would be discriminating against you. I was interviewed by occupational health after appointment for my current job and they were very supportive.

I think it's entirely reasonable and  honest to answer direct questions truthfully, but not otherwise to raise it as an issue.

Hope it works out for you.

Regards

Peter

 

Hi from another teacher. I'm sorry that you are facing this worry. Budgets! :-(

I'm just mentioning that Occupational Health services can be really good support for people with CML. I have had contact with my Occ Health doctor due to my Head playing up a bit 2 years ago, and they were really helpful, making sure that she followed the spirit as well as the wording of the Equalities Act. I now have an open invitation to contact them again if I ever need to.

If Occ Health currently don't know about you, it may be a good time to contact them for a chat, particularly if you are worried about the reality of discrimination now that you have CML.

Take care, and I'll keep my fingers tightly crossed for you.

Janet x

Hi Emma

I too changed jobs after being diagnosed. I was open with my new firm and they were in fact very understanding.  As I have to take time out for appointments I couldn't really not tell them but it has all worked out fine.  Legally, as you say, if you are capable of doing the job - and you are with CML under control - they can't discriminate, and in fact have to make any necessary accomodations (eg time for appointments).  As I say, my new firm were completely fine with it once I explained what it meant for me.

Will be starting 2nd generation drug next Tues, so much to absorb.

 

Hi, Marilu

I was just diagnosed on 6th Feb, so in a  very similar position. The good news is that the more you learn the better things look. I also started 2nd Generation TKI (Dasatinib) on 16th Feb, and already my white count was down from 145 to about 6 in 28 days.The symptoms of CML have largely disappeared (sweats, cough, fatigue), and the drug side-effects are really minimal.

Once one gets one's head around the fact that you're far more likely to do well than otherwise, I have become very thankful that out of all the possible cancer illnesses I could have contracted, I got the one that seems most treatable and for which a cure is on the 10 year horizon, with a high likelihood that I'll be around to benefit from it!

This forum is a great place for information and support, it does what it says on the tin...

 

Rod