To consider not declaring disabilities to new job? Would you?

[AnchorDownDeepBreath]

I've been offered a new job, we're just doing references etc and I'm expecting my contract today. I've been told a health information sheet will come as well, to make sure I'm fit and healthy.

I'm not, really. I've got bipolar depression which is currently under control but I see a psych for every 6 weeks; and I've had a kidney transplant. The latter I tend to disclose as it doesn't require any special treatment but the former I am unsure about - I lost my last job as it flared up and they didn't want someone 'unpredictable' on the team, which has put me off declaring it. I do have an agreed reference with them so they shouldn't mention it.

Would you declare both? Some home working can be really useful in keeping the bipolar under control when it's playing up, so I could ask for that, but I was going to do it a few months down the line...

Personally I think it would depend on the job. If it involved something for which it might be a safety/safeguarding risk and should therefore be monitored by the employer then yes. If not then I would be careful about disclosing this, I know someone with dyspraxia who declared it and his manager behaved like a total dick (and his union and HR were bloody useless despite dyspraxia also being a protected disability under the equality act) No he didn't take it to tribunal because he had a shockingly miserable couple of years and just wanted to move on and get a decent job elsewhere rather than waste any more of his life and family time on it. He has happily now done this- the same role in a different place 30 miles away and they are very happy with him, so he was obviously quite capable. Whatever you decide to do I really hope you have a good experience though

If they've given you the offer you should declare it, they can't rescind the offer because of it but it can get you time off for appointments if you need them or other reasonable adjustments if you need to change meds or something.
I've discreetly not mentioned things pre-offer in the past though.

I once knew a dentist with bipolar
Was fine. Boss knew and adjustments were made as needed
Probably best to be upfront op

Just to reassure everyone - My job has nothing to do with anyone else's safety, or my own - it's a standard office type job, no planes, no risk of a meltdown damaging anyone but me. It's statistically unlikely that there would be any such meltdown; I am largely stable and well medicated.

I will await the contract (It didn't come today), and once the contract is signed, I'll declare as advised.

I hate it feeling like it's some big thing everyone deserves to know. It feels rather unfair. I'm not sure why; maybe just that I don't really want to be defined by it. It'll be the first thing some of these people know about me.

A lot of these things are only done for procedures necessary for things like occupational health; for eg we had to go on an overnight work thing and needed to know for example if someone had severe allergies and needed an epi pen.
Some are also to ensure equality quotas are being met.

It doesn't need to be personal :)

If you declare you are protected,and entitled to 'reasonable adjustment' if you don't and you have a relapse then the easy way to get rid of you is because you lied.
Ideally if you are up-front with your manager and enlist the help of your psych you and they can work together to support your success in the job.
Sorry, but imhe bipolar people are sometimes the last to acknowledge they are unwell, meanwhile colleagues can be dealing with havoc to the business and their own wellbeing. Please build your protective network from the start, OP.