Disclosing mental health condition at interview stage

[sunshineandstarsgirl]

Hi.

I got diagnosed with a MH condition 4 years back. At the time, I was prescribed medication and the symptoms went away. I still take the same medication. No symptoms. I have a job interview for admin coming up in the NHS. Because my condition is controlled by medication and I have had no symptoms for the past 4 years, I said in the application form I have no disability. Is this ok?

During the interview, they might ask me about my health or if I have a disability. What should i say? My MH condition doesn't affect my day to day activities. My condition doesn't require any reasonable adjustments.

Yes that sounds fine. I don't know NHS applications but have recruited in public sector before and we would have no need to know your personal medical information. The only reason to declare a disability would be there was a guaranteed interview if you meet initial criteria for job.

A condition controlled with medication is not usually considered a disability.

You don't consider yourself to have a disability and this is what you've correctly declared. There's no need to discuss it any further. Good luck with the interview

Thank u for ur replies. Please read the following which I copied from the interview invite:

"Please note that any information disclosed on your application form will be checked, including employment history. An offer maybe withdrawn if you knowingly withhold information or provide false or misleading information. We will also withdraw the offer if there is lack of sufficient evidence on which we based this offer."

What if I get a job offer and they find out during occupational health I take medication for my MH? I am planning to be honest with my occupational health assessment.

But, what if I disclose my condition at interview IF ASKED ONLY and disability discrimination happens? 🤔

So confused as to what to do?

You don’t have to tell the interviewer/manager about your mental health condition, unless you really want to….and I doubt if they will even ask about your health during the interview. They are not allowed to discriminate against applicants based on health conditions….so it’s highly unlikely they will ask.

If you are offered the job and accept it, you will be sent a health form to return to occupational health. The manager won’t see this form. It’s best to be honest on this form. You might get a phone call or asked to attend an appointment with occupational health. In my experience, nhs occupational health are there to help you, and are on your side (…rather than the employers!). If there is anything relevant they will write to your manager and give them the minimum information necessary to help keep you safe at work. I always found them to be very supportive and helpful and also discrete.

If everything goes well and you get the job done, be careful how much information you share with your colleagues and managers about your mental health. Just to protect yourself against any bullying or discrimination in the future.

In my experience, it’s best to be completely open with occupational health, as they are on your side. And they won’t share anything unnecessary.

Thank u so so much. 😊👍👍👍

Just wanted to add…

I have worked in the NHS, and have interviewed applicants. I would never imagine asking someone about their health in an interview.

I also have an extensive mental health history myself and have had lots of dealings with occupational health and they have always been amazing.

This means if you lie about having a qualification or exaggerate your responsibilities at a previous job or something.

Thank you 😊

I've interviewed people my whole life and the only time I can remember a health condition coming up during an interview was with someone who asked their recruitment agency to let us know that they had suffered a brain injury so that they didn't have to explain it themselves.

OP, you should never be asked about your health / disability during the interview stage - it's an illegal practice and your rights are protected by the equality act 2010. It is only when they offer you the job, a health questionnaire will be required. It's to protect applicants from disability discrimination, where an offer could be retracted based on your I'll health. It's entirely your choice whether to disclose your m/h on the health questionnaire. Personally, I have my misgivings that it would do you any favours by disclosing - unless you need to request reasonable adjustments which it seems you don't.

The reason I want to be honest with occupational health is cos I read online that sometimes they do ask for a doctor's (GP) report and if u refuse, u can either get sacked or have the offer withdrawn. Not sure how accurate this info is.

I understand your concern but if I'm reading this right, they would only request a gp report IF you disclose m/h - otherwise they'd be checking medical reports for every single employee which I'm pretty sure would be an illegal practice in its self! You have to weigh up the pros and cons of disclosure - if it would make you feel better by not " hiding" something then go for it and be safe in the knowledge that they can't take away your job offer based on the information. It's a deeply personal thing to discuss your health, especially around mental ill health, but you are not legally compelled to share if you don't want to.

Yes, you do need to be honest with occupational health. They will advise the employer about your fitness to do the job, and if any reasonable adjustments are appropriate.

But no, you should never declare anything about your health at the interview, or prior to being offered a job.

No, never in all my years with panic attacks have I hold them in or before an interview.

They really shouldn’t be asking about your health in a job interview. The part of the form where you state this won’t be seen by interviewers anyway

Section 60 of The Equality Act 2010 makes it unlawful for any employer to ask about your health prior to making an offer of work.

Will you need any reasonable adjustments relating to your mental health condition? If yes, discuss these when you’ve got your job offer. If no, then no need to disclose your health condition to your new employer.

Good luck with the interview :)

I explained when I was offered the job. They were totally fine with that,it's the normal time to disclose (if at all)

Under the Equality Act 2010, a disability is defined as a physical or mental impairment that has a substantial and long-term negative effect on a person's ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities. If you don't need any reasonable adjustments and it doesn't affect your life then no need to say anything.

Look up acas it will provide some extra albeit often vague info from a legal perspective. And https://www.gov.uk/rights-disabled-person/employment#:~:text=You%20can%20only%20be%20asked,you%20in%20a%20selection%20process