Your work life balance is very important with CF, as is your work environment, whether it is full or part time employment.
Finding the right job for you is important. This page aims to support you on your career pathway as you navigate the steps to employment with a disability.
- CV writing skills
- Disclosing my CF to my employer
- Starting work for the first time - taxation
- Disability payments and work
How you present your career achievements and education is a really important factor when applying for jobs. It is often the first impression a potential employer has of you so be sure to make it a good one.
A good CV should be:
KEY SECTIONS
Personal Details
Include:
Personal profile
Write a short paragraph about:
Work experience
List your jobs starting with the most recent.
For each role include:
Education
Include:
You can also mention:
Skills
Focus on skills relevant to the role.
Examples:
SOME KEY CV WRITING TIPS
Adjust your CV for every application:
Disclosing my CV to my employer
This decision rests with you and you have no obligation to share your CF diagnosis with your employer.
Your main workplace protections come from the Employment Equality Acts and these laws make it illegal for employers to discriminate against you because of a disability.
If you do choose to share your CF with your employer it will enable them to support you in the best way that they can. It will also enable them to make ‘reasonable measures’ to help you do your job which for example include flexible working arrangements or time off for clinic appointments.
Ultimately, this is your decision, if you would like more information on working with a disability please check out Employment and disability
Starting work for the first time
Getting your taxes set up correctly for the first time is important. As an employee, you will pay your tax through the PAYE system as well as PRSI and USC. As someone who is self-employed, you will need to work through the self-assessment process.
It is important to tell the Revenue as soon as possible after you accept a job offer, or you may have to pay emergency tax.
For more information on registering for PAYE visit the revenue at myAccount guides or check out the citizens information for a step by step guide to getting started Tax and starting work
Disability payments and work
If you are in receipt of DA, you may be able to keep this payment while in employment if your income is below a certain threshold. As DA is means tested, you will need to inform the department of social protection of your employment details which will include proof of earnings in order for them to assess if you qualify for a means tested payment.
For more information on threshold limits and payments please check out Disability payments and work
Jack Timmins - Reaching New Heights
Our member, Jack Timmins (26), was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis (CF) at 10 months old. His parents, Andy and Sarah, were concerned about recurring chesty coughs and when they brought him to Temple Street, the team recommended a sweat test. When the results came back positive for CF, they were both shocked and worried.... 26 years on, Jack is an ATSEP (Air Traffic Safety Electronics Personnel) in Airnav Ireland, with not one, but two degrees under his belt.
Here you can read Jack's story about his journey from school through third level and working at Dublin Airport.