Anti-depressants?

[jerin]

Theres a clause in my contract that says that I have to advise them if I am taking anti-depressants. I am just wondering whether this is normal and how they would be able to find out if I didnt tell them. Would my gp confirm this if they approached him?
I would have to have letter from gp advising I was fit to work and then they would continue to assess me for 3 months after I'd finished taking them. Is it something you have to declare to an employer? I dont really see why I should if it doesnt affect my work.....

[RibenaBerry]

No, it's not common. What's your line of work?

Your doctor wouldn't say anything without your permission.

I assume that they are trying to guard themselves against the numerous "workplace stress" type claims which get made. The frivolous ones give the real ones a bad name...

[jerin]

I work as airline cabin crew. I guess that makes a difference but I wouldnt carry them on me and I dont think it would affect my work...

[RibenaBerry]

Yes, I suspect it does make a difference. Do you do long haul? There's the potential for all those different time zones to really mess with anti depressants I think, so maybe that's why they ask?

Bear in mind that long term depression is probably a disability and they have a legal duty not to discriminate against you for a disability (i.e. they have to adjust the job and can only dismiss/not hire you for it if it's the only realistic option).

[jerin]

thanks ribena. I dont do long haul so that wouldn't be an issue. I guess my not telling i'm going against my contract but how would they know?

[RibenaBerry]

They wouldn't know, but obviously if something happened (say your health got worse and you were off sick, or something) they may well find out then and you'd be in trouble for lying.

It's not best practice to ask directly though. Are you sure that this information goes to your employer and not to an internal or external occupational health person?

[jerin]

I think to internal occupational health we have a med form to complete every few years...... my next ones not due for a while. Thanks for your help

[RibenaBerry]

Oh, well if it goes to occ health it shouldn't be a problem. I would just find out (in a general way) how the information is reported back. It would be normal just for them to report to your manager saying "no issues" or, if there are issues, to liaise with you about the information provided. They wouldn't normally disclose information outside occ health without consent. For example, if you had issues with stress, it makes sense for the manager to know that, otherwise how can he/she help support you.