Disclosing age, disability, poor grades or criminal record
The following sections give brief advice and resources. If you are still uncertain visit Careers & Employability and discuss in confidence with a careers adviser.
Since The Employment Equality (Age) Regulations were established in October 2006, you are no longer be required to include your age or date of birth on most UK applications. Whilst an employer may still be able to work out your approximate age by looking at your education and work history, they are legally required not to discriminate on the basis of age.
There is no simple answer to whether you should disclose a disability or health problem to an employer as it can depend on individual circumstances. The documents below give information and advice to help you make this choice.
SKILL Disclosing Disability leaflet
Covering letter disclosing disability
Although entry into professions like Law or Accountancy requires good A-level grades, for many other opportunities it will be your education and experience achieved in the last 3 or 4 years that it is more important. The question still remains, should you include them or not?
If you decide to include poor A-level grades on your CV, ensure that your subsequent education shows improvement and progression. There are many reasons for poor grades and in cases of illness or unusual circumstances it is possible to include a cover note with your application briefly explaining the situation and how your academic performance was affected, highlighting your subsequent achievements.
If you omit your grades then it is likely that the employer will want to know why you have excluded them. If the rest of your application is excellent then you will probably get the chance to explain at interview.
The information below is summarised from the Prospects website.
You have to declare all criminal convictions, or any still pending, unless they are ‘spent’. A criminal record will not necessarily prevent you from getting into your career but if you have concerns about this speak to your careers adviser.
Certain jobs and courses such as teaching, health and social work are ‘excepted’ from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (ROA) and require that you disclose all convictions, even those that are spent.
If you want to work with children or vulnerable adults then you will have to declare any conviction. To work in teaching, health or social work you will have a Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) check.
Disclosing Age
Since The Employment Equality (Age) Regulations were established in October 2006, you are no longer be required to include your age or date of birth on most UK applications. Whilst an employer may still be able to work out your approximate age by looking at your education and work history, they are legally required not to discriminate on the basis of age.
Disclosing Disability
There is no simple answer to whether you should disclose a disability or health problem to an employer as it can depend on individual circumstances. The documents below give information and advice to help you make this choice.
SKILL Disclosing Disability leaflet
Covering letter disclosing disability
Disclosing Poor Grades
Although entry into professions like Law or Accountancy requires good A-level grades, for many other opportunities it will be your education and experience achieved in the last 3 or 4 years that it is more important. The question still remains, should you include them or not?
If you decide to include poor A-level grades on your CV, ensure that your subsequent education shows improvement and progression. There are many reasons for poor grades and in cases of illness or unusual circumstances it is possible to include a cover note with your application briefly explaining the situation and how your academic performance was affected, highlighting your subsequent achievements.
If you omit your grades then it is likely that the employer will want to know why you have excluded them. If the rest of your application is excellent then you will probably get the chance to explain at interview.
Disclosing a Criminal Record
The information below is summarised from the Prospects website.
You have to declare all criminal convictions, or any still pending, unless they are ‘spent’. A criminal record will not necessarily prevent you from getting into your career but if you have concerns about this speak to your careers adviser.
Certain jobs and courses such as teaching, health and social work are ‘excepted’ from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (ROA) and require that you disclose all convictions, even those that are spent.
If you want to work with children or vulnerable adults then you will have to declare any conviction. To work in teaching, health or social work you will have a Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) check.
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