[bobby p]

this year im planning on taking on a helper ,see if i can make it work. ive put the feelers out and so far not much luck. but one young lad has got in touch ,but hes deaf .   what do you lot think. im on ladders ,what consequence do you see if i gave him a go/    as you all know its a risky game at the best of times but id like to hear your opinions. 

[darren clarke]

how deaf is he,  completely or can hear with aid,

[Kate2]

Yes he maybe partially deaf, would it be advisable to get in touch with a proper society for the deaf - see what their guidlines are?  Think you need to find out though level of hearing like the poster before me said.

http://www.rnid.org.uk/

[bobby p]

ive not met him yet as he will only communicate via text. i just dont want to raise his hopes up,if its a stupid or dangerous idea

[darren clarke]

he might be ur best employee,  speak to a sol, as u might want to give him a trial period to see what he is like

[Kate2]

I think you need to establish level of hearing.  I have a friend who is partially blind.  Also I think maybe if he thinks hes capable, thats why hes applied, can you meet up with him?  I dont think you would be dashing his hopes.  Of course you need to ascertain suitablility

[G Griffin]

ive not met him yet as he will only communicate via text.

That`s no good. I`d be more concerned about that, rather than his hearing.

[Tom White]

Yes he maybe partially deaf, would it be advisable to get in touch with a proper society for the deaf - see what their guidlines are?  Think you need to find out though level of hearing like the poster before me said.

http://www.rnid.org.uk/

I agree with Kate.  There could be health and safety implications you may not be aware of.

[Blue Frog Systems]

Back on my first round i came across a customer who used to have a window cleaner who was deaf & dumb.... he had alot of customers in that area, but moved away with family.

I also know of a window cleaner who is deaf too (he works on his own as it is his business and has done for many years now), but will leave that to someone else to mention if he wants to.

To be honest i cant see a problem with it. You will need to sign i would imagine which im sure you would be able to put through the business. Give him a trail... day/week/month and see how he gets on doing the job.

[Paul Coleman]

Tricky situation as there could be H & S issues with this.
Also tricky if you decide to turn him down because mentioning deafness as a/the reason leaves you open to being sued.
I'm all for giving people a break but, although I have every sympathy with his predicament, I do wonder if this could be a step too far.  There is often a need to communicate with customers too.  Deafness could seriously hamper this.  If he were taken on, it might mean having to adapt parts of your business - particularly if he is to be a lone worker.

[formb]

There ARE H&S issues, and realistically you will at least have to do a new set of risk assessments to include anyone with a disability where their disability will effect the risk.

You must do this for people under 18 and for people who you are aware are 'a bit daft' so I'm pretty certain you will have to do this for someone who is deaf.

It isn't really that much of a big deal though, IF you already have risk assessments in place.

[Nathanael Jones]

Stupid is worse than deaf,.. and there's plenty of us who have stupid helpers without anyone going on about H&S!!!

Make sure that there won't be any additional risks (most can be overcome with a bit of thought), and give the lad a chance,..

[formb]

Stupid is worse than deaf,.. and there's plenty of us who have stupid helpers without anyone going on about H&S!!!

Make sure that there won't be any additional risks (most can be overcome with a bit of thought), and give the lad a chance,..

I agree completely, I was in no way implying that deaf = dangerous.

The H&S will require that any risks that are already apparent within the job, be reviewed to include someone who has any type of disability that will effect that risk, should you decide to employ them.

http://www.hse.gov.uk/disability/risk.htm

[Helen]

this year im planning on taking on a helper ,see if i can make it work. ive put the feelers out and so far not much luck. but one young lad has got in touch ,but hes deaf .   what do you lot think. im on ladders ,what consequence do you see if i gave him a go/    as you all know its a risky game at the best of times but id like to hear your opinions. 

Invite him for an interview and treat him as you would any other applicant. Forget that he is deaf. If he does not meet your requirements, the don't take him on....simples
If you consider taking him on then seek out help and advise from the dot gov link that has already been posted.
Whatever you do DO NOT turn him down giving the reason he is deaf.

Nathanael.
When we employed I used to think on a daily basis I had employed deaf people but no most were just stupid

[mci services]

I need to get back out to work I just popped in for a coffee, but deafness can effect balance, My mother was deaf and dumb and although worked most her life in the cleaning industry. She could not go a bike because of the balance. I will ask my dad later if he ever employed deaf lads on the ladder over the years. he probably did at some point. anyway as long as the balance is ok I can't see a problem but then I can speak fluent sign language.

[andyM]

I would meet up with him for a beer and see how you get on.
He might be partially deaf and wear a hearing aid so would still have some hearing sense.
There are different levels of deafness, I say this because I had a friend of a friend who was deaf and I met him several times and he held a conversation with no problems.
I didnt even realise he was deaf until my mate mentioned it after about the 4th or 5th occassion of meeting him. He was superb at lip reading and thats why I never realised he was deaf.
I would at least arrange a meeting to see what he's like, he might turn out to be a top bloke and I can't really see how deafness can affect a window cleaner unless as Stu-mac says it affects balance.

[the bfg]

I would defo give him a chance but make sure to show him some consideration,    so when you fart make sure it smells 

[Ian101]

if u decide not to employ cos hes deaf be careful what u say as u dont want to be classed as discrimination as u may be sued ... does happen ... know of a girl who goes for job interviews gets to 2nd interview stage tells them shes pregnant asks about what maternity pay the company pays and if no job offer after a week or two gets a solicitor to threaten to sue them then offers to settle for a grand ... sad times we live in 

[NJWindowCleaning]

Why not learn sign language or he could teach you for free

I would take on a deaf person tomorrow who is willing to work and you dont need to use words as he would watch you work and pick things up that way

[craig mcneil]

Speaking as someone who wears hearing aids I can't see deafness being an issue.

I know nothing about H&S issues so can't comment on them especially as I only use a WFP system myself. The fella will be communicating by text only as it's unlikely to be able to use a phone (I only use texts myself).

Personally, I would invite him round for an interview. Choose a nice quiet place as if he's not profoundly deaf (as in deaf as a doorpost) he'll likely wear hearing aids and there's nothing worse than background noise! If he can do the job then there's no reason why you shouldn't employ him. I've no doubt that between you, you would be able to work around any potential issues.