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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To think this is a confusing question?

37 replies

elfelfa · 16/12/2010 23:07

Joining a new employer in February. I have to answer this question:

I am not aware of any health condition or disability which might impair my ability to undertake effectively the duties of the position which I have been offered.

Answer Yes or No

If I have no health condition, is the answer yes or no? AIBU to think this is badly worded?

OP posts:

QueeferSantaland · 16/12/2010 23:51

, ratspeaker.

nickeldonkeycarrymary · 17/12/2010 13:01

it's not asking you if you have any conditions, it's asking you if you know you have any.

that's different - because you might have a health condition you don't know about - so if they put "have you got any" and you say "no" and then they find you do, they can say "but you said you didn't" and you say "well I didn't know!"

Jux · 17/12/2010 13:39

Are you aware you have broken your leg? No, I'm not aware I've broken my leg.

Are you aware you have broken your leg? Yes, I am aware I have broken my leg.

Are you aware you have broken your leg? No I have not broken my leg.

Are you aware you have broken your leg? Yes, I am aware I have not broken my leg.

I think on balance I would answer No, I have no adverse health conditions.

(Why are you doing 2 threads?)

QueenStromba · 17/12/2010 21:25

If I was not aware of any health issues that would impair on my job performance then I would answer "yes" and it wouldn't even occur to me that that wasn't the favourable answer. Since mumsnet is split on this I would definitely write a note clarifying that you most definitely are not aware of any health problem because you have no way of knowing if the person reading your form understands double negatives. And as someone else mentioned it might be a surreptitious intelligence test.

FairiesWearSnowBoots · 17/12/2010 21:32

I would not circle either and write "I am not aware of any conditions"

proudfoot · 17/12/2010 22:18

Yes

but maybe with a clarifying note since opinion seems to be split.

oldraver · 17/12/2010 23:19

Dont answer it, you dont have to now

GrimmaTheNome · 17/12/2010 23:30

I don't think its a confusing question but then I write software and have to be able to deal with much more complex logic than that.

(The answer is Yes.)

I think it is a badly worded question because it could have been stated more simply without the negative.

cumfy · 18/12/2010 05:22

My head is still spinning.

You should be able to send it to www.plainenglish.co.uk/.
Unfortunately they haven't learnt how to design plain websites yet!

My view is that the answers should be True/False not Yes/No, since it is a statement not a question.

StealthPolarBear · 18/12/2010 06:53

The answer is yes, technically, but i bet on the form they are wanting a 'no'

As for the legalities - I thought they only applied to applicants for the job - once you have started in the role (as the OP has) they can make you fill in a health form as before.

BikeRunSki · 18/12/2010 07:53

I thought the Q was more about letting the employer know whether they need to work workplace adjustments to facilitate you to do the job?

onimolap · 18/12/2010 08:17

It's badly worded.

The question is legal, both in terms of making adaptations (as someone posted above), and also as a formal record (you cannot claim the protections of the Disability Discrimination Act if you have not informed your employers of a relevant condition).

It's also useful as a final check on safety - it would be just plain dangerous to have, for example, an uncontrolled narcoleptic in charge of certain types of machinery.

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