Pre employment medical and anxiety?

[NCforMedicalQn]

I've a provisional job offer but one requirement is a pre-employment medical.

I haven't had a work medical in over 20 years and in my late 20s I developed an anxiety disorder and went on Lexapro.

I've been on and off it ever since - I came off it a few times but big life stresses made me relapse so I'm back on it and staying on it this time.

Anyway I'm v worried about whether this could cost me the job through the medical. I'm guessing I'll have to disclose what medication I'm on. The irony is even at my worst, I never even missed an hour of work.

Does anyone have experience or advice? If I lie could they detect the lexapro in my system anyway? No matter how things have progressed I know there's still huge stigma around mental health disorders, but this is a job I'd really love so I'm not sure whether to risk being honest.

Just a hopeful bump and to say I've got the questionnaire through now. It's worse than I thought - wants all my medical history, medication etc and also specifically asks if I suffer - or have ever suffered - from loads of conditions including anxiety and depression ☹️.

I'd probably look for another job unless there is a job related reason for them needing to know. What happens to the info?
It seems very intrusive

I wouldn't worry, that sounds like a standard form for many companies. I have a mental health condition and have never had problems disclosing it on the form. Do they have an occupational health department?

What is the job? It does seem they want alot of information - I'd be querying why it's necessary to share your entire medical history with your employer. For most jobs this wouldn't be acceptable.

Sorry for the delay in replying and thank you. The form is to an external company (specialising in occupational health I think) so the first thing I'll be asking is how the information is used and what's actually going to be shared with the employer.

It's only a desk-based job but part of a manufacturing facility so that's why I think it's standard - it does ask about heavy lifting etc which won't apply to me.

@Orangesandlemons82 that's good to hear that there is hope - thank you. If I'm honest and they reject me on that basis, they'd probably not be a good employer anyway. But I've never disclosed it to an employer before and still can't get over feeling it's such a private thing 😕

@NCforMedicalQn it's positive that it is going to a proper OCC health company. Presumably they also ask in their paperwork about number of days sickness? So will therefore see that it has not affected your work. Honestly, if they disregarded everyone who applies who was taking medication for a mental health condition they would not have many people who could actually start working for them. Good luck.

Hi- don’t worry. If they’ve offered you a job they can’t withdraw it because you are on meds for anxiety, it would be discrimination according to the Equality Act. At least that’s what the Dr that did my assessment said!

I’ve had mental health issues since teenage years, been on meds most of my adult life and have been in hospital a few times (including twice in the past 5 years). My issues are under control now.
I work in a “stressful” industry so I thought bye bye job offer, but no, and my job is going well. Lots of people have MH issues.

You don’t have to be honest, especially as you’ve had no time off work. I had to be honest because I was on ESA when I got the job plus the hospital admissions issue. It’s your choice. The Dr that did my assessment said that the my managers etc would not be told what my issues were, only that I could be eligible for reasonable adjustments according to the Equality Act and that I might have to have time off sick at points due to my “disability” and shouldn’t be penalised because of that.

Go for the job! You can do it!

It's just for the OH company to work out if you need any adjustments to do the job. It's confidential with the OH company. Standard practice. It's really fine to say you have a condition that's well controlled with medication. They probably won't bat an eyelid. A large proportion of the population are on medication for anxiety and depression. Your employer will not know anything about it. If you're well enough to do the job now, they can't withdraw the offer. The only exception to that is if the job is safety critical or looking after vulnerable children or adults.

Don't worry about this. I've been on ADs for 20 years and suffer from OCD, GAD and depression. I've had to do occupational health interviews 3 times in this period and have always disclosed my medical history with no problems. They want to know that any medical conditions you have are being managed and you have good processes in place to recognize when it is getting out of hand and know how to stay well.
They'll have your sickness record from your previous employer so they'll know it doesn't affect your ability to work.

They have to have this information for their insurance purposes. They can’t discriminate based on health issues.
They have the medical on file in the event something may happen in the future and to see if any adjustments need to be made.

As an employer I would never disclose a former employees sickness record.

Is this a public sector thing?

I work for a healthcare provider who assess these questionnaires. The OH Dr will just read through and advise the employer on whether any adjustments can be made to the role/environment to help you do the role. The company I work for will sometimes arrange a quick telephone consultation to just ask for any additional information. It's very routine, and we do 20/30 a week. There won't be anything to worry about :)

Thanks to you all this is really helpful and positive. I've decided I'm going to be honest - if it causes any issues then at least I'll know for next time. If it doesn't (which sounds like the more likely scenario) at least I won't be looking over my shoulder.

I'll report back after the medical next week about how it goes and what they say 🤞

Hi everyone - I got the job!!

I'm so relieved and I was honest about the anxiety and medication so that's a huge weight off my mind. Thank you all so much for your advice and help.

I did find the medical a bit of an ordeal though from start to finish and it felt very intrusive. One thing I found poor was that no-one explained the process to me at the start or what it would involve - I'm sure some providers do this better. I know they're doing this all day every day but it would be nice if they realised it's new and scary for a lot of people.

In case it helps anyone else in the future, this is what it involved:

• Went in to reception and was immediately asked for my paperwork which set me on edge a bit - saw it being copied and entered onto a computer etc so my internal alarm bells were ringing like mad
• Handed an envelope with a sample bottle in it and told I'd be shown where the bathroom was
• Then met the nurse who showed me the bathroom - I deliberately asked her was it for a urine sample - even though I guessed it was I hoped it would make her realise some communication would be nice [rolls eyes].
• She then took sample and went off for a while and then took me through. She told me the sample was tested already and everything was ok. To be fair she also told me it's very hard to fail an employment medical.
• Had to do weight, height, blood pressure and she took a blood sample. Then had to do an eye test and hearing test. I started asking about whether the anxiety would cause any issues and she said no but that the doctor would go through everything with me - that was the first time I realised I'd be meeting a doctor too.
• Then had to wait a bit to meet the doctor. She went through my questionnaire and I asked about the anxiety again - she said it's absolutely not an issue once it's stable and it won't be communicated to the employer.
• She put me up on a table and listened to my breathing. She also poked my tummy a bit.
• She then did some basic movement tests - lifting my legs up and down and bending my knees to my chest. She then got me to stand up and raise and lower my arms.
• She was able to confirm everything was fine and they'd just have to wait for the blood test. The whole thing took about an hour.

I did feel relieved when I left but I still felt a bit unsure, so it's only that I've got confirmation now from the employer that I've relaxed fully.

I won't out myself but they also caught some minor issues that I have to follow up on with my GP so that's another positive to come out of it.

If anyone ever wants to know more at any stage please PM me.