Disclosing injury at an interview

[mst1981]

I have an interview this Monday for a job within the city that I currently work for. I do have a shoulder injury and I'm currently on worker's comp but my modified duties are mainly admin stuff which is alike the job that I am interviewing for. My injury wouldn't impede my ability to do the job.
What I struggle with is knowing whether or not to tell them in the interview. I'm almost certain that they will find out.
On one hand, I figure that I should keep my mouth shut unless they ask me but on the other hand I may not get another chance to explain that I am capable of doing the job. I know I could get my doctor to clear me for the job too. That is why I am leaning towards disclosing it.
Advice?

[1171]

i would not necessarily refer to it as a work comp claim or get too detailed.
if you want to admit to time off to solve past health issues, that should be sufficient.

[UndercovrAngel]

if you have restrictions due to your WC injury, let them know that you do have a disability (no need to say it is WC) and the restrictions that go along with it. It may be that the job you are seeking falls within the parameters of your restrictions.

If you do not let them know about the disability and restrictions prior to being hired, and they find out after hiring you, it is grounds for immediate termination. You also give up all of your ADA rights if it is found that you need some kind of assistance ( such as an ergonomic work station) and the employer can state unequivocably that they have/had no knowledge of any disability. I won a "Right to Sue" claim through the ADA against a former employer who would not let me keep a small container of glucose tablets on my desk at work (no personal items allowed on desks at all). We were issued combination lockers to put purses, coats, lunches etc... in when we were hired and expected to use at the beginning of each shift. I told them when hired that I was a diabetic (newly diagnosed) and having problems regulating my blood sugar at the time. It was business dress at all times, and I rarely wore clothing that had pockets which I could keep the glucose in. I was caught with the tube of glucose on my desk, supervisor claimed it was candy and I was termed on the spot. I applied for unemployment and my ex-employer claimed I self-terminated due to breaking one of their hiring regulations. I fought back, won my unemployment benefits and with that information filed against them with the ADA. I never pursued it however, as I had relocated to a new state while waiting for the ruling and couldn't afford to run back and forth between my new home and old to fight them in court.

I did find out 3 monts later that the company lost their contract with a major cell phone company and had to shut down, as there were over 60 people who had filed various law suits against them for their hiring/firing practices.

Angel ^j^

[mst1981]

I looked at the job duties and none of them would interfere with my accommodation. I can't lift heavy objects but the it's an office gig. It's conflicting.

[heynow]

This is a great question. I too have struggled with this. Technically, I was let go as a company lay-off but I was the only employee let go. They said it was lack of work but in addition to having my own sales territory I also managed the company repair department. I also did field trials and provided technical support. In other words, I had plenty to do. I have interviewed and employers ask me why would they lay you off? I come with great references, great employee record and proven results. First and only job out of college. I can only imagine what a prospective employer must think. I have even told two potential employers the truth and never heard back from them. I do believe in being honest. I just think it's a bad way to start with an employer. IMO, it is a hard spot to be in.

[lucky]

If you know the job falls within your Restrictions, I would nut give any information that was not asked. Never. It is not being dishonest if they do not ask.

[mst1981]

I spoke with this guy who is managing my worker's comp claim and he suggested that I keep my mouth shut. Since this job is with the same city that I currently work for, they probably already know or will know. I

[jayne]

up front and honest....however never volunteer any info they dont ask for