to refuse a work medical?

[MontyPythonsFlyingFuck]

Just that, really. At my grade they are apparently compulsory every year. I have a variety of interesting (really, really not) medical conditions and every single time I have had one of these it's just resulted in me being told I am unfit, overweight and in poor condition. Oddly enough, I already know all those things, and they are all related to the medical stuff. I've never felt the medicals help me in any way. I did not sign up to them when I joined my employer at a far more junior grade some time ago. I find them intrusive, depressing and unhelpful. The bits that ought to be useful (mammogram and smear) have for the last three years not been sent to my GP as promised. What do you think would happen if I just refused to go?

You are very lucky to have medical insurance through work even if you pay for it. It means that any health problems will be dealt with quickly and without a huge financial loss to you.

I've recently been diagnosed with osteoporosis. I've been waiting for an appointment for three months and will have to go privately because it's affecting my other spinal conditions but obviously isn't life threatening so not considered urgent by the nhs.

Is there anything you can do to improve your health? Can you ask for advice to improve your conditions? If the assessor can't help could your GP? I've found physiotherapists, occupational health and dietitians can be very helpful. You could access loads of support through your insurance!

You do pay for the medical insurance, yes-but they still have to make sure you are insurable. I would hazard a guess that they will not pay out for anything if you do not have these medicals.

That's very unlikely rollonthesummer. The point of such large scale health insurance policies is the risk is spread across many people so you can also save money by doing minimal admin such as health questionaires (I've never had to give any medical
Information for mine)

I would hate this as much as you (for similar reasons)

If it was a condition of keeping health or life insurance, or simply not being seen as being awkward to my superiors, I'd jump through the hoop though.

Could you write down what your conditions are and why they prevent you from losing weight or whatever and ask for it to be out in your file so you don't get the same irrelevant stuff trotted out each time?

Could you play medical bingo and give yourself a point for every phrase and bit of useless/unwanted advice dished out? Then treat yourself afterwards?

you need to check your contract/terms. if its actually compulsory they could go down the disciplinary route but i reckon its probably intentionally wordedvto sound compulsory when it isnt. ive only ever heard of real compulsory medicals for some roles in regulated industries.

medical cover is taxed but you wont be paying anywhere near what theyd be charging joe public so if its connected to that benefit consider if its worth losing it states the bleedin obvious

Do your company pay private health insurance for you? Or do you travel with work and have insurance covered by the company? Because I would consider going if either of those were the case. Otherwise, I wouldn't go unless my job specifically required it.

Seems a big waste of time and money for them.

Silent, are you sure you're not actually me? That's exactly how I intend to get through it if I can't get out of it.

I must find out if it's linked to the health insurance. They are done by different companies which kind of made me assume that they weren't, but it's a good point.

I do know I sound like an ungrateful brat. But I have a really nice GP, and various other things that I pay for like osteopath and acupuncturist, as they aren't covered by the health insurance. I suppose I should just think of it as a chance to get smear and mammogram out of the way in one go, and to spend portions of a morning reading Hello magazine rather than cajoling people to do stuff they should have done already!

the medicals might be outsourced by the cover provider but it should be made clear, and clear if its connected to the cover or for another reason.

ime the cover provided when via an employer has less hoops to jump through, by that i mean its in their best interests to give the employee a good experience, imagine if a good employer got wind their benefit provider had messed about their employees? when it comes to renewal they may well lose that business. its something we hope not to need but with how the NHS is going its something id want to keep.

of course it might not be connected at all. in which case the medical should be in proportion to the role, but iim 70% certain they can make it a condition of employment for any role

Of course they can fire people due to medical issues. A company can fire people for whatever reason they want.

Are you posting from North Korea?

You can't legally fire someone for being ill (in this country; some US states have "at will" employment laws) unless their illness means they're incapable of doing their job. Unless their medical condition counts as a disability. Disabled people are a protected class.

www.gov.uk/dismissal/reasons-you-can-be-dismissed

employers can still terminate a contract of employment due to disability as its still a capability issue, but they have to show they have made all reasonable adjustments to prove the dismissal is fair.

correction, the dismissal wont be due to the disability it would be due to the person being incapable of performing their role, although most employers offer a settlement agreement where it involves a disability

I would suggest that you speak to HR at your work, and ask what would happen if you did not consent to a medical. I would be surprised if it resulted in termination of employment. You are not obliged to give a reason why you do not consent to a medical. Probably nothing will happen.

I do not agree with the posters who say that you ought to be grateful for the offer of a medical. You feel however you feel about it, there is no "ought" in it. The argument against these types of health checks is presented in the book The Patient Paradox, where - IIRC - there is a chapter on medical screening carried out in the private sector.

The bits that ought to be useful (mammogram and smear) have for the last three years not been sent to my GP as promised.

I think if the above cannot be done "as promised", you can't be bothered either.

Are you posting from North Korea?

You can't legally fire someone for being ill

They can fire someone for ANY REASON they like - indeed for NO reason if they want. The issue is HAS THE EMPLOYEE got any recourse? And without PAYING for a tribunal application which can cost £1200 just to make a claim, they have none. Tribunals have dropped 70% since the charges came into force.

Do not read the guidance which says 'employers should' and think that means they must. It is just not true.

Hi Monty, I have a similar situation where medical stuff causes overweight etc.
I don't get a work medical, but I do get fed up of the same lecture on diet and exercise (that I can't do) from any interaction with a medical professional, I'm just waiting for the optician to chime in that my eyes are too fat or something.
Lately I've got through this "helpful" advice by lying and telling them what they want to hear as it's quicker and easier. Just tell them you agree and you joined Slimming World/ the gym/ a walking challenge last week. It totally ends the whole conversation, they're all happy, you can slink off.

AHAHAHAHAHA at fat eyes! Yes, same here. Not helped by a HUGE propensity to blame myself for everything, medical and otherwise (e.g. this morning my neighbour was sweeping up leaves on our shared drive and I IMMEDIATELY thought "oh god, I should have done that!"). Stupid and pointless.