I am a Security Guard of 12 years experience. Recently I took an additional security course to improve my position in the workplace financially. Part of the course was training to handle a Handgun. I wish to work as an armed security guard preferably in cash in transit.
I had to get certification from my doctor to say that I was a fit person to take firearms training as I have a controlled medical condition which is epilepsy. This has been fully controlled for 18 years and I have held a drivers licence over this period of time.My work is not affected by epilepsy in any way. I might have a couple of very rare mild seizures per year at night only in my sleep. It has been the case in the past that on quite a few occasions whenever I have declared my epilepsy to an employer, that I do not get the job. What can I do about this ?
I have been with my present employer for over 1 year but want to do more interesting better paid work as I have stated. I recently went to a Major cash in Transit employer Armaguard in Perth WA and was offered the job. On their in depth medical questioner it asks if the applicant has any medical condition which might affect their ability to perform a satisfactory job. Epilepsy was one of the conditions asked about. I declined to mention Epilepsy as it does not affect my ability to perform a satisfactory job. All my documents were photocopied including my driving licence.
Later that day, I checked through my wallet and came across my driving licence. Upon looking at my licence I looked at the rear of it and realised that there are two lines that say must wear spectacles while driving, Take medication as prescribed by doctor. I had totally forgotten about this written on my drivers licence. I realised that Armaguard or any other prospective employer would see this and ask what I am taking medication for.
I decided that I would declare my epilepsy to Armaguard the next day and apologise for my oversight and point out that I did not declare it as it did not affect my work. Furthermore I had just completed a Handgun Handling course and received a certificate which they had copy of. They took note and over the next week and a half took more details from me in relation to my work history, etc. I then received a phone call to tell me that I was not suitable for them to employ me. I asked why not, they said because I did not declare epilepsy on my application form at my interview they pointed out that they could only employ honest people as I would be handling money. It took a long time for them to arrive at this decision.
Where does this leave me under employment law? Will I be able to do armed cash in transit work with any security company ? Are there any security guards with controlled epilepsy working in armed cash in transit in Australia?
I had to get certification from my doctor to say that I was a fit person to take firearms training as I have a controlled medical condition which is epilepsy. This has been fully controlled for 18 years and I have held a drivers licence over this period of time.My work is not affected by epilepsy in any way. I might have a couple of very rare mild seizures per year at night only in my sleep. It has been the case in the past that on quite a few occasions whenever I have declared my epilepsy to an employer, that I do not get the job. What can I do about this ?
I have been with my present employer for over 1 year but want to do more interesting better paid work as I have stated. I recently went to a Major cash in Transit employer Armaguard in Perth WA and was offered the job. On their in depth medical questioner it asks if the applicant has any medical condition which might affect their ability to perform a satisfactory job. Epilepsy was one of the conditions asked about. I declined to mention Epilepsy as it does not affect my ability to perform a satisfactory job. All my documents were photocopied including my driving licence.
Later that day, I checked through my wallet and came across my driving licence. Upon looking at my licence I looked at the rear of it and realised that there are two lines that say must wear spectacles while driving, Take medication as prescribed by doctor. I had totally forgotten about this written on my drivers licence. I realised that Armaguard or any other prospective employer would see this and ask what I am taking medication for.
I decided that I would declare my epilepsy to Armaguard the next day and apologise for my oversight and point out that I did not declare it as it did not affect my work. Furthermore I had just completed a Handgun Handling course and received a certificate which they had copy of. They took note and over the next week and a half took more details from me in relation to my work history, etc. I then received a phone call to tell me that I was not suitable for them to employ me. I asked why not, they said because I did not declare epilepsy on my application form at my interview they pointed out that they could only employ honest people as I would be handling money. It took a long time for them to arrive at this decision.
Where does this leave me under employment law? Will I be able to do armed cash in transit work with any security company ? Are there any security guards with controlled epilepsy working in armed cash in transit in Australia?