Articles
Feature Article
THE HEALTH AND SAFETY CONUNDRUM
After a decade as a full time carer, when my career passed away I was left in limbo, undecided whether to take advantage of another government benefit, return to work, or undertake some study.
Finances were tight so I began applying for jobs. After a decade out of the paid workforce, which had been a sinecure compared to my duties as a carer, my finances were badly in need of restoration. The trouble was, without a post-secondary qualification, and not having held a paid position for so long, potential employers did not consider me to be employable. So I decided to take up a second option – to return to study to obtain that much lauded paper qualification. Since I had just spent all that time gaining experience as a full-time carer, I enrolled in a certificate course to legitimise my knowledge of the subject. The institution accepted my application and I notified Centrelink.
I expected my financial situation to undergo a dramatic improvement, as attendance of the course would also qualify me for a training wage. This entitlement would put my budget into the black for the first time since becoming a carer.
More than a decade of living in the red has all sorts of ramifications to self perception as well as health, nutrition, clothing and repairs around the house. There is only so much baked beans, oats, spaghetti and rice one can eat to fill a grumbling stomach and cheap fruit and vegetables are usually past their best. Choices in second hand clothing are limited. Repairs, unless urgent, don’t get done and even the urgent ones will often only get a patch job, a temporary fix-it which holds on a wing and a prayer, until money comes in to do it properly, or it never happens. Of course Murphy’s Law states that if it can go wrong it will and that it never rains but it pours so vital repairs just keep piling up in the too-hard basket. But this was finally going to change. Soon, I would get that miraculous bit of paper and a real, proper, paying job.
The day started out brilliantly. The sun shone warmly in a clear blue sky without a single cloud to mar that lovely point in time. Neatly, if casually, dressed, as befitting a mature age student, I hopped on the train with the details of how to get the training centre marked in the Melways, a supply of stationary items and lunch stashed in my most presentable bag. The wonderful sense of optimism infusing me lasted all the way to my destination.
The first dark cloud appeared in the form of a lack of an elevator to access the correct floor. Nothing daunted, I climbed several flights, one step after another, to reach the right area. Since I was the first to arrive, the receptionist admitted me to the classroom and I was seated to await the arrival of the others.
The other students straggled in one by one. Finally the course co-ordinator joined us to hand out instructions relating to the organization of the course. It all looked simple enough. The modules which were to be covered posed no obvious problems and I had already had a thorough grounding in most of the practical aspects.
At the end of the introductory session I was confident of walking away with that precious piece of paper, which was of such vital importance in attracting an employer. I was looking forward to re-entry into the workforce and ameliorating my bleak financial situation. I smiled my goodbyes to the other class members and reached under the table for my crutches.
“Wait a minute,” the co-ordinator stopped me, “I need a quick word with you.”
I sat down again.
“I’m sorry,” the coordinator continued, “but I can’t let you do this course.”
I was stunned – “Why?”
“You’re on crutches. If we had known earlier, you would not have been accepted in the first place.”
“What difference does that make?”
“If there is an emergency, you won’t be able to run.”
“But, I’ve had lots of practice and I’m pretty fast on them. I would be able to manage. I don’t expect to be on them for long. It’s only temporary.”
Then came the punch line.
“I won’t beat around the bush – the fact is – you are an occupational Health and Safety risk.”
This was the first time I had actually been told that the reason I was not being considered was because I was considered to be a Health and Safety risk – something which was subsequently reinforced by other people over the years. I was never allowed the opportunity to even attempt that qualification. The crux of the matter being that I was no longer considered a normal human being with rights – as a person on crutches – I was now perceived as a HEALTH & SAFETY ISSUE.
(Identifying details have been omitted from this testimony to protect both the innocent and the guilty.)
Contibuted to newsletter, edited by Kathy Leitch
Feature Article
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Our mission is to increase employment opportunities for
people with disabilities and from diverse backgrounds
in Australia. For those of you who are not aware we were
officially formed on September 7, 2005 at Victorian Council
of Social Services (VCOSS).
ADDE promotes pro-active employment
policies and practices for disadvantaged groups including
people with disabilities, mature age workers, people from
culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds as well
as indigenous people. People who fall into more than one
of these categories are recognised as being even more
disadvantaged. Therefore, we see a greater need for a
change of attitude and awareness.