Is it normal for a new employer to ask for GP letter?

[Sabire9]

Son, just turned 18 was interviewed and offered a job with a national pizza chain on Friday. When he filled out the paperwork accepting the job he checked the box which asked him if he had a health condition - he has a mental health diagnosis and revealed this to the manager when asked.

He was due to start training this week but he manager of the restaurant has now told him he needs a letter from his GP confirming that he's safe to work in a kitchen. I called the GP's surgery and the receptionist told me a) this is a fairly unusual request and b) it'll take 28 days. In the meantime son has no income and no start date.

Has anyone else been asked to do something like this? I know that if you've been off sick for a while employers sometimes ask for a letter to confirm you're ok to return to work, but my son isn't currently unwell or asking for time off. He wants to work!

I agree that it is an unusual request and is also not in the GP contract.

I think that some employers do this kind of thing to avoid paying for occupational health advice, which would seem more appropriate.

Are they worried that having a mental health condition makes people more prone to tampering with food and they’re trying to legally cover themselves in case this happens ? It sounds like a very bizarre request anyway and I wonder what that tells you about how much they value employees privacy…if I were your DS, I would start looking for another job.

There is such a huge variety of mental health conditions. I think the employer is bring responsible wanting more details as to how this could impact on the customers, other employees and of course your DS himself. But I don't know about the legality of the request for the GPs letter.

@Viviennemary the appropriate method for that is via Occupational Health.

OP your son is being seen off by a company who don't want to pay for occupational health provision.

His best bet is to look for another job with an employer who understands their legal duties.

the company could refer to their occupational health service. but that would cost them...

It’s the reason that lots of people don’t disclose any mental health problems to employers. There’s a huge amount of prejudice out there.

Apparently it is well documented that kitchens and stressful places to work and often adversely affect the mental health of employees. If this was my child I wouldn't bd encouraging kitchen work under these circumstances.

@Viviennemary

Apparently it is well documented that kitchens and stressful places to work and often adversely affect the mental health of employees. If this was my child I wouldn't bd encouraging kitchen work under these circumstances.

ditto teaching, nursing, healthcare, bar work, childcare etc.

He needs a job.

Most people with mental health conditions do.

That'll be 1 in 5 people btw who've been diagnosed at some point with a mental health condition.

If it becomes too stressful he can leave.

"OP your son is being seen off by a company who don't want to pay for occupational health provision."

Yes, this I think.

But they've picked the wrong person to try to fob off.

This is why I encourage my daughter to not disclose she can work and study just fine and she needs to work to eat so its a no for honesty

Wouldnt be surprised by this. He’ll be working with knives and other peoples’ food. GPs response is also reasonable (they will require your son’s written consent, a request from the employer and will charge the employer for it). It is rather unusual for an 18yr old to need their mum to call the practice to get a letter for his employer - if he’s old enough and well enough to work he should be able to do this - perhaps that’s what they meant by unusual?

I think he’d be better to walk away from this job, look elsewhere and not disclose his diagnosis.

’ be surprised by this. He’ll be working with knives and other peoples’ food.’

And that’s the kind of unthinking prejudice he’ll have to deal with if he discloses his health issues.

"Wouldnt be surprised by this. He’ll be working with knives and other peoples’ food"

Are you assuming that because he has a mental health condition it's quite reasonable to assume he may be a risk to other people?

The employer is duty bound to make a work place health and safety risk assessment. He will most likely use the letter from the GP as a part of this in your son's case.

"if he’s old enough and well enough to work he should be able to do this - perhaps that’s what they meant by unusual?"

Did you mean to be so rude?

Have you had any experience of parenting or advocating for a mentally ill teenager?

"The employer is duty bound to make a work place health and safety risk assessment. He will most likely use the letter from the GP as a part of this in your son's case."

And it's reasonable not to pay my son until this has been done? And that he's responsible for arranging it and paying for it?

@Sabire9

"The employer is duty bound to make a work place health and safety risk assessment. He will most likely use the letter from the GP as a part of this in your son's case."

And it's reasonable not to pay my son until this has been done? And that he's responsible for arranging it and paying for it?

Yes, it is reasonable.

If your DS wants to keep going with this I’d ask him to contact his future employer in writing (email, text?) and be confused about the letter. What’s the letter for and what do they want it to say? If it is genuinely an attempt to do a health and safety assessment to protect his health in their working environment they’ll have no problem replying.

No I don't think it's reasonable to expect your son to pay for it!

Employer should pay for occupational health.

Honestly If I were him I’d find something else and not mention it the second time. Until it affects his work it’s not really any or their business.

"Yes, it is reasonable"

Not discriminatory?

@Carboncheque

If your DS wants to keep going with this I’d ask him to contact his future employer in writing (email, text?) and be confused about the letter. What’s the letter for and what do they want it to say? If it is genuinely an attempt to do a health and safety assessment to protect his health in their working environment they’ll have no problem replying.

Thank you - that's helpful. I'll get him to do that.

@purplesequins

the company could refer to their occupational health service. but that would cost them...

Hopefully referring to the GP will also cost them, although I suspect the company are hoping the employee will pay-up for whatever the GP is charging to prepare a medical report.

You have to ask though - what specific knowledge does a GP have about working in a pizza kitchen?

Don't be surprised if the letter costs ££££ and simply says.

To whom it may concern,

I have reviewed the medical records of Mr X, and can see no reason as to why he may not work in a Pizza Kitchen.

Kind Regards...

Ps, please transfer £££££ to b/a, sort code.....

Your DS needs to decide if this is something he wants to push because the truth is that there isn’t sufficient protection from discrimination, it is very real and a workplace that’s showing signs of not wanting him before he even starts isn’t going to be a pleasant place to work.