If you mention your disability at a job interview, the employer can only ask questions about how it might affect how you do the job and work safely. You also have the right to privacy., What employers can ask about your disability, At a job interview, an employer can ask about: changes to the workplace that will help you do the job – these are also called reasonable adjustments changes to work hours or rosters to help you in the role keeping the workplace safe for you and everyone else. The employer can’t ask personal questions about your lifestyle. They also can’t ask you general questions about your disability or your…, Examples of questions your employer can ask, Will you need any flexible arrangements so you can do your job? Will you need us to make any changes in the workplace ? Do you have ideas about good ways to do your job? Do you have ideas for making your workplace safe? Do you take any medication that might make it unsafe for you to do the job? How will you let us know about medical appointments so we can change your work roster?, Examples of questions your employer can’t ask, Do you take of lot of medication? Are you sick a lot? How many times a year do you go to the doctor? Are you going to be able to cope? Does your disability make you get angry with other people? Have you ever lost a job because of your disability?, Your privacy, You have the right for your personal information to be kept private. The employer can’t talk to anyone else about your disability unless you give your permission. For more information, visit How your personal information is protected . You can find out more about the Privacy Act at the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner website.
Type:
Articles
Access advice, information and funding to support people with disability, employers and service providers. About us
Type:
Front page
Whether you’ve just finished school or you’re changing roles, there’s a lot to consider when you’re starting a new job. Make a positive start with our advice on settling in and getting set up in your new workplace.
Type:
Articles
Sometimes when we hire people with disability, adjustments need to be made. Find out about the different supports and services available through JobAccess to make these changes.
Type:
Videos
Flexible working arrangements, such as changed hours and working from home, may help you find a better work-life balance. Flexibility may also benefit the organisation you work for., What are flexible working arrangements?, Flexible working arrangements are changes to your standard work arrangement. You agree with your employer or supervisor to these changes. There are many ways work arrangements can be flexible. This will depend on the person and the job. For example: having regular breaks if you have pain or fatigue changing your start and finish times taking unpaid leave having a say about your work schedule…, Benefits of flexibility, Flexible working arrangements can help you have a better work-life balance. For example, flexibility can let you: go to medical appointments make a regular time with your carer that suits you both manage care for children or others manage stress, anxiety or pain focus on tasks without distractions, if working from home. Flexible working arrangements are good for employers too. They help…, Working from home, Many employers allow staff to work from home as part of their flexible working arrangements. This is sometimes a ‘hybrid’ arrangement. For example, working from home 2 days a week, and at the workplace for the other days. Whether you can work from home will depend on the type of work you do. If you have just started a new job, your employer may want you to work full time at the workplace for a…, Working from home agreements, If you are asking to work from home, it’s a good idea to make an agreement with your employer so it’s clear who is responsible for what. Your agreement could include: who will buy or provide any equipment, such as a computer or office furniture how often you need to go in to the workplace how and when you must ‘check in’ with your manager and co-workers – for example through daily online…, Safety issues at home, If you are working from home, you need to consider basic safety issues. These include: having enough light in your work area having good air flow and fresh air working in an area that is not too noisy keeping equipment safe, well maintained and in good order. Your employer could be responsible if you have an injury while working from home. They may want to do a work health and safety check of…, Assistance for home modifications, If you are working from home and need to make changes to do your job, you may be eligible to get help from the Employment Assistance Fund (EAF) . The EAF can help people with disability cover the cost of modifications to workspaces, equipment and services., Agreeing to changes with your employer, If you think flexible work arrangements would help you do your job, discuss it with your supervisor or manager. Think about: what changes to your work arrangements will meet your needs how the arrangements might affect your co-workers how the changes benefit everyone how the changes help you get more work done and meet your employer’s needs. Remember to be open to different options. Your employer…, Support from human resources, If you work for a larger organisation, the Human Resources (HR) area might be able to help you talk to your supervisor. They can give you advice about: your rights options for changes to your work arrangements any company policies. You can also talk to HR about issues you’re not comfortable talking with your supervisor about. The Fair Work Ombudsman website also provides information on the rules…
Type:
Articles
If you or someone you know is in danger, call 000 if you need urgent help from police, fire or ambulance services. If you need crisis support, please visit the Emergency Contacts page. JobAccess supports a number of ways for you to make a complaint or to report abuse or neglect of people with disability. This section can help you with: Complaints about disability, employment or advocacy services…
Type:
Articles
A healthy and inclusive workplace is good for you and your employer. Get advice about mental health, stress, safety and disability at work. There is also training available to promote disability awareness among your co-workers and steps to take to get you back to work.
Type:
Articles
There is training available to give staff and employers a better understanding of disability and inclusion at work. It can help you get the support you need and to support other staff members., Disability awareness training, Disability awareness training provides information and tips about disability in the workplace. It can help you and your co-workers: learn about different types of disability create a more supportive workplace communicate and work well together. If you think awareness training might help your workplace, your employer can: contact an organisation that provides training, such as the Australian…, Mental health first aid, Mental health first aid training can help you and your co-workers to support each other through mental health issues at work. The training gives you the knowledge and skills you need to support someone, as well as information about the types of help available. You can direct your employer to the Mental Health First Aid website for more information about training options., Other mental health resources, For tips and information to support mental health in the workplace, go to the Beyond Blue website. For advice about discussing your mental health with your employer, visit Talking about mental health at work ., Deaf awareness and Auslan training, If you’re deaf or have a hearing impairment, your co-workers can take part in deaf awareness training. This can give your workmates knowledge about: the lives and needs of people who are deaf or hard of hearing the Deaf community ways to better communicate with you at work. If you use Auslan, your co-workers could also do basic Auslan training. You or your employer can contact JobAccess for…, Financial support for awareness training, Your employer may be able to get financial help through the Employment Assistance Fund for staff to take part in awareness training. That includes training about disability, mental health, deafness and Auslan. You or your employer can contact JobAccess for advice.
Type:
Articles
Telling people at work about your mental health is a personal choice. You don’t need to share anything unless there is a safety risk to you or others., Why be open about your mental health?, Telling your employer about your mental health conditions may have benefits, such as: creating trust and open relationships changing workplace attitudes about mental health making it easier to discuss options to help you do your job, such as flexible working arrangements . Your employer is also likely to be more understanding if you become unwell and need time off. They may be more willing to…, When to talk about your mental health, There are only a few situations when you must tell your employer about any mental health concerns. These are: when you’re unable to work or to work safely to keep other people and your co-workers safe. You don’t need to mention specific medical or personal details. In all other cases, it’s your choice if you wish to talk about your mental health. For more on work safety and the law visit Your…, Tips for talking to others about your mental health, Be as honest and open as you feel comfortable – it’s up to you how much you share Explain your situation and how the workplace could help Understand that some people might be shy, uncomfortable or just too busy to talk. For more advice, see Talking about your disability at work . Note: it is illegal for your employer, supervisors or co-workers to make upsetting or offensive comments about mental…, Online resources, Beyond Blue have useful resources and videos on sharing information about a psychosocial disability or mental health condition. Head to Health also have a pros and cons tool to help you weigh up whether to share this information with your employer., Your privacy, There are laws that protect your privacy. If you mention a mental health issue to someone at work, they can’t tell anyone else about it unless you give your consent. For more information, visit our page How your personal information is protected . You can find out more about at the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner website.
Type:
Articles
Type:
Videos
