To be completely panicking after my chat with occupational health!!!

[LookAtMee]

Hi all, I hope it’s okay to post here.

I have just started a new job as a teaching assistant after many years being a SAHM.

I had a call scheduled today with Occupational Health off the back of one of the forms I completed in the welcome pack.

The lady on the phone was so horrible and abrupt and has told me she needs to feedback everything I’ve said to the school.

One of the conditions I disclosed was that I suffer from anxiety. I explained that I first experienced anxiety after the birth of one of my children. She asked when I was diagnosed. I said 2019. She asked when I had my child who triggered the anxiety and I told her it was in 2016. She then proceeded to tell me that couldn’t be what caused my anxiety because it happened 3 years earlier and asked me to tell her what the trigger was. I explained again that it was the birth of my child in 2016 and that I went to the GP who suggested mindfulness. She then said, “well that means you were diagnosed in 2016, not 2019 so which is it?” I explained that I did mindfulness on and off for 3 years and then felt that I needed something more, to help keep my anxiety at bay. That’s when I went to the GP and they did an assessment with me and said I had moderate anxiety. She said that if I went to the GP about it in 2016 then that’s when I was diagnosed! I explained to her that I also attend counselling which I pay for privately and have done for the last few months. She kept going on about me needing to tell her the trigger for this and wouldn’t listen that it all started after my DD was born. She was adamant this couldn’t be the case if I didn’t take medication until 2019 and start counselling until this year.

She said she needs to go and phone the school and pass all of this information on.

I am now worrying that this is all going to get me into some sort of bother with my new employer. I just feel quite shaken up after the way I was treated and am now sitting, worrying what’s going to happen when I go into work tomorrow

Any advice much appreciated.

Do nurses not have medical training? Occupational health nursing is an post graduate qualification... after your 3 year general nursing degree/DipHe??

You can complain to the NMC- i would.

Which makes me wonder if she works for ATOS/CAPITA on the side and is used to browbeating people with health issues and trying to trip them up, and forgot which hat she was supposed to be wearing?

That's what it reminded me of too. Though I don't know quite why we as a society think that's acceptable. How sad.

Also agree with pp that for confidentiality etc she should be issuing a written report to you first to confirm it is correct and make amendments first. She can't disclose everything you said and shouldn't.

I don't believe someone that much of a bully was having a "bad day". If she routinely treats people like that - and has such a poor and prejudiced understanding of mental illness (there's nothing remotely unusual or implausible about your timeline) - she shouldn't be in her job.

Having to fill out a form is no excuse for treating people like shit.

It surely what you told Occy Health was confidential ?
Did you give your permission for her to disclose it to school ?

Firstly, you cannot lose your job for disclosing that you have anxiety.
Secondly, I would complain about the person you spoke to and suggest that they have further training before they speak to any more people and end up causing unnecessary stress and anxiety in others - like they have you.
Ignore her and enjoy your new job

You might also argue that your new role could be beneficial and therapeutic for you to be busy and occupied.

@jessstan1

"She sounds like a nurse or a HCA, not unusual in OC; I hope you have her name. People like her have forms to fill in and just tick boxes."

Like others, I'm also curious as to what a nurse or HCA sounds like? 🤔 What a strange comment...

Firstly, medical professionals can not disclose private medical details to your employer without your permission. Make sure she is aware that you do not consent to this being disclosed to your employer. I suggest you find out which company she works for and make a formal complaint. Ask to be seen by an occupational physician.

She sounds bloody awful and a bit dim. What kind of world do we live in where you have to describe your mental health problems on great detail to a jobsworth who knows nothing about it before you start a job?

A friend had to see occuoational health due to time off for sickess. She has a long standing disability for which there is no cure - all properly diagnosed years ago and for which she has regular hoslital check ups and scans. Occupational health told her she was cured.

I suspect Yoloyohol is correct and the OH contract has been outsourced.

It sounds to me like your "assessment" was carried out by an unqualified box ticker who was required to complete a computer form with specific dates in order to progress to the next section.

What a shame mental (and physical) health issues don't tend to fit in neat little boxes.

I'm glad the dep head was reassuring. If your overall sickness record is good and your anxiety doesn't affect your ability to carry out your role, that's all she needs.

I hope you enjoy your job - good luck

I’m glad your chat at the school went well.

This person sounded terribly ill informed. Work is extremely beneficial for people’s mental health and it would be illegal to withdraw the job offer on that basis.

@jessstan1

People who have some medical training but are not doctors and are employed to ask certain questions, fill in forms and tick boxes.

Ah, yes! That’s exactly what I spent three years training for, and what I’m going to do at postgrad level.

Can’t wait to be a postgrad form filler

Not your sort of level, Captain, obviously, you're a professional. However there are 'assistants' who are semi trained; probably great in a setting where basic nursing skills are required but who are also employed in places like Occupational Health and some GP surgeries.

Sounds like a relocated PIP "nurse" to me...the one I saw a couple of years ago was all snark, tattoos and talons and open toed Roman sandals and evidently hadn't been near a real healthcare setting for years. Thankfully when I came back into the workforce the lovely OH nurse had the sense to refer me to a psychiatrist to talk to me about my anxiety. Sounds like you've got at least one good senior manager where you're going though, so good luck with the new role.

Did you have to mention this? Don't mean that judgementally. Genuinely asking.

I suffered from depression years ago and didn't mention it in my hgv medical as knew the theoretical concern is somebody unstable going on the rampage in a truck and running people over (not something I'm planning on doing!).

I wonder if she's the same Occupational Health person I dealt with years ago. She was an absolute cow and basically told me that my previous medical diagnosis "must have been wrong" and that I couldn't possibly have the condition I was diagnosed with, because her friend had it and it's not something you recover from. She made me feel like shit and worried for my new job too, so I sympathise OP.

You won’t lose your job OP. I’ve been teaching for years and I’ve got a couple of heavy duty mental illnesses. I’ve also had my fair share of Occupational Health meetings and it sounds to me like you just got someone who is a bit clueless about mental health. I would complain about her. Did she send you the report to read and agree to?