to wonder why I am being questioned about my mental health re:employment

[Lovelygoldboots]

This is really bothering me. I have recently started work as a lunchtime supervisor in a local primary school and I am really enjoying the job. I am also starting a placement as a Teaching Assistant with a view to beginning an NVQ in September. I have been doing the job for three or four months. I completed the Pre-employment health questionnaire and it was returned as I have put on there that I have taken Anti Depressants for PND. The department wanted further information so I got a list from the GP of when I had been taking the medication and sent it back.

I now have received a letter saying they want me to come in to the County council office for a short appointment with an Occupational Health Nurse. Apparently, everyone undergoes this if they are working in a school. This is really stressing me out and I am starting to wonder if this is normal or whether it is symptomatic of becoming depressed again. When I questioned this, the people in the personnel department think I am being obstructive. I just do not want to share personal details which I don't think are necessary to people I am not sure are qualified to assess me. I am also worried this is going to prejudice me when I become qualifed as a Teaching assistant. I really do wonder whether I am being unreasonable.

It's normal procedure to review any health queries with an Occupational Health Nurse, who is qualified to assess you. All they do is check that you are fit and well to be working with young people. Which assuming your depression is under control with the medication, you are. They are not trying to catch you out or anything.

I am a teacher and have previously been on anti-depressant medication. Therefore I always have to have a check with a Occy Health Nurse prior to starting a new job. Usually this takes place over the phone.

However it is concerning that you are getting so worked up about something that is quite minor, and you might want to keep an eye on it incase as you mentioned it may be symptomatic of becoming depressed again.

Same happened for me in my position as a staff nurse, its a formality if you tick yes to anything really, they want to ensure you are well in yourself and ensure you know they are there to help you if you need it

I recently had to do this when I changed jobs, I'm a TA. All I had to do was phone them and have a quick chat. I explained my depression (reactional) and hadn't been on anti d's in 3 years, and he was really nice and said that's fine. I have always declared my depression and never not been offered a job because of it

I don't blame you for being a bit anxious about it. I would be too. I'm sure there it'll be OK.

Thanks, its new ground for me as prior to kids was in management accounts. I don't remember being asked about my mental health then. The last episode of depression I had was such a tough time and I feel weird about talking about it again as I was so keen to put it behind me. Also having been a SAHM for so long and coming through some tough times its left my confidence a bit battered. I am so excited about becoming a TA. I just don't want anything to get in the way or make anyone feel that I am not capable of doing it. I guess I am being unreasonable.

My current contract states that if I begin to suffer from any mental illness my contract will be terminated . And they wondered why I didn't want to make it permanent...

TCOB, is that legal?

A member of my family works in the Occ Health dept for the local council and deals with referals from the Education Dept. This is perfectly normal.

TCOB that's shocking. Mental illness is so misunderstood.

TCOB, that is disgusting. I guess this is the sort of thing I was worried about. I can't see how that is legal. There are some shocking attitudes to mental health.

I would argue an Occ Health nurse is not fully qualified to make judgements and decisions on someone's mental health and personally I can understand why you are concerned.

TCOB that is potentially outlawed under the Disabilty Discrimination Act and shouldn't be tolerated.

Or rather the Equality Act, as it is now.

TCOB - That's disgusting, and illegal (at least, I can't think of a single situation where you could justify it without getting in trouble with disability laws. Except possibly, just possibly, if you were in control of a nuclear submarine or the big red button to set off WW3, in which case it might squeak through)

Lovely - it is really totally normal, especially when people are working with children, to follow up on any physical or mental illness. Something like post natal depression is so common, they will have seen it dozens of times before. They just want to check that they have all the information they need, that you know how to get help if you have any issues in work and that kind of thing. I know that there are lots of horror stories about appalling employers and how they treat mental illness, but honestly 99% are nice people who just want to do the right thing.

Nelly000 - but surely they aren't making judgements on the spot, the nurse is just doing some information gathering, no?

I had to go to an appointment like that before I got my job in a state school. They just want to check that your MH problems won't interfere with you being able to do your job, and I think it's a good thing.

I wouldn't particularly want my children at school having to witness someone's who looks after them having a panic attack or something.

If there is genuinely no reason why your MH will affect your ability to do the job, you will be fine.

AmandaPayne that's what my Mum thought too, before the company she was working for paid her off to go quietly after an Occ Health assessment as they didn't like the fact that she'd suffered two bouts of MH illness (in 18 years)

That's awful Nelly, but I doubt it was the decision of the Occ Health nurse. That's what I'm saying. Your mum's horrid company would probably have done that to her with or without the interview. If someone is going to be prejudiced, they can do it on the information on the form.

Think it's normal in the public sector. All new starters have to go. I had to have my reading specs checked! Don't worry about it.

AmandaPayne you're right, of course... I just get very passionate/emotional when dealing with employers and Mental Health issues. There still seems to be such a stigma

Rightly so, it is so difficult for anyone with a 'history' in some employers. I think I just like to chip in that most employers are actually quite nice, and the really shite bastards give everyone a bad name. Also, that additional checks on employees are normally actually a sign of a good employer, since the bastards often keep it cheap and dirty and don't waste time on occ health!

I'm a teacher and I have a diagnosis of bi polar disorder. I had to see a psychologist before my current job was made permanent. Not a problem they need to make sure that you are fit to do the job. Past one off episodes won't affect anything. I'm on permanent meds with an ongoing problem and I'm fine to work because its managed. Don't worry

TCOB.
Might it be because it is a specific job?
Just guessing. Just wondering if there are certain job exempitions?