AIBU - Job Medical

[JupiterWeb]

Hello, I need some unbiased opinions on my feelings here. I was recently offered a new job subject to references and medical, references were fine and I have had the medical. During my medical they informed me that the prospective employer has asked them to ask me about a comment I made. During the interview they asked about why I didn't have all of my GCSEs and I just explained that I was unwell at that time so couldn't attend full time and that I had treatment and have been fine for 10 years. FYI it was anxiety and depression as was going through a rough time with family. I am more than qualified to do this job, my experience and skill set says this.. I felt ambushed into detailing very personal stuff that I don't believe is even relevant nor would it affect me being able to do this job. So my question is am I being unreasonable to feel upset and ambushed or is this standard practice? Also should add I am not doing any work that would require a medical and working in the same field have never previously had one.

It’s a difficult one op, and I can see why you’re upset.

I once walked away from a job offer when the company really (and I mean really) went to town on referencing me. I’ve had a very corporate career and therefore had only factual references which they decided didn’t give enough information and then asked a lot of inappropriately personal questions and requested personal referees to back it up.

I reasoned that, if this is what they are like in what should be the ‘honeymoon’ phase, what would they be like to work for long term?

I guess it depends how much you need the job, but yanbu to feel ambushed. I remember the feeling and it wasn’t pleasant.

This new job is an amazing opportunity for me and the chance to get into a different sector. But I do currently have a job that is fine. Something just doesn't sit right with me about it, I feel like they aren't allowed to ask these things.

Are there any employment knowledgeable people knocking about?

To be honest, I think they are allowed to ask these questions, and there is an argument that they have gone about it the correct manner.

Had they asked you what was wrong with you there and then in the interview, then that’s a much clearer example of them being unreasonable.

Was it a doctor who carried out your medical? If so, I don’t think they would be allowed to directly communicate your medical issues back to the business anyway. They would usually be asked to confirm that they were satisfied that your health issues weren’t an ongoing problem, which might impact your attendance/performance.

Up to you OP, but I think they have gone about this correctly.

They did question me further during my interview @GreenWillow the person performing the medical was a nurse practitioner. I was unaware I'd be further questioned during my medical

If you have been fine for 10years without affecting any other job you had, then I'm not sure what the relevance is for wanting to know the exact medical reason. I agree with you op.

I'm afraid I'm not knowledgeable on employment law etc, so can't advise if they should have / are allowed to question you re this. I understand why you are pissed off though. I've had to fill in medical history forms for jobs, and twice (my two most recent jobs) I have been told that I shouldn't have disclosed certain information.

First time, admin job in a hospital. Put on the form that I have an underactive thyroid that is well controlled with levothyroxine. Had to see the occupational health Dr to have bloods done. She was lovely and said, as she was drawing my blood, that I shouldn't have mentioned it, as once I did she was required to do the bloods, which she didn't really agree with. Second time, another hospital job, this time for an HCA role (career change). I'd had a seizure a couple of years previously, had Neuro consultations, MRIs, EEGs, etc. So they followed up on this (no problem with this at all, in a patient care role they obviously needed to know that I was medically fit and not a risk to patients). Gave permission for them to get medical records from my GP, which were deemed insufficient, despite including notes from all my tests and Neuro consultations. So I had to pay a private Neuro consultant for a check-up and letter saying that I was medically fit for the job. HR told me to never disclose that information on any future job applications, that they appreciated my honesty, but had I not told them, they'd never have found out and that it was all unnecessary.

Seriously fucking frustrating. I will still disclose the information on any future job applications, as in my line of work I believe that my patients deserve for me to be at my best, and were I deemed medically unfit for the job I'd be devestated but accept that it's in the best interest of any patients I'd be working with.

Sorry, I blathered on a lot there . All that is to say, I understand how bloody annoying it is, and how being completely honest feels like it's detrimental to you sometimes.

If they are going to be paying you sick pay that is over and above ssp, then yes I’d have to say I do think they are entitled to make a reasonable assessment of your fitness to do the job.

Employees on long term sick leave is a huge issue for employers and in fairness, 10 years is nothing in the greater scheme of things.

Please do not listen to PP. It is neither fair nor reasonable. It sounds as if there's no good reason for them to be asking these questions as it's not relevant to the job. I would seriously reconsider the offer - if they're like this now, what will they be like in the long term?

This is what I keep thinking, if they are like this now then what will they be like in the future? I've never been asked about it previously in my 3 earlier jobs so this took me by surprise.

During the interview they asked a perfectly reasonable question about your GCSEs. Your answer introduced a medical element, and they would have felt it unreasonable to delve further into personal and confidential medical matters, especially as they would be unqualified to assess any details. They took the wise and reasonable decision to refer this to the medical expert. The nurse practitioner asked relevant questions to make a decision on the prime objective - the answer to "are you medically fit to do the job". This answer will have been the only thing communicated back to the company. All details of the examination will be confidential.
The whole process appears to have been very well handled.

I don’t think it’s unreasonable. They told you there would be a medical and it’s usual for a medical to include questions about any past medical problems that might affect your ability to the job. You could have a significant health condition that they might need to be aware of in order to offer reasonable adjustments.

If it’s a job where you will be working with potentially vulnerable people such as healthcare or caring then they will also have a duty of care to ensure you are safe to work with them.

I've had one referral to Occy Health - it involved taking a phone call whilst in the pub where I told them the diagnosis and the treatment. No problem at all. For the last job I got, they didn't even bother contacting me despite declaring disability, a number of years being too unwell to work and leaving the job prior to that because the diagnosis and treatment protocols were too much.

As a result, they've been the only two jobs where I have benefitted from being able to refuse to do something/insist upon doing something slightly differently because the customary procedure is incompatible with my declared (and accepted by Occy Health) disability.

That's the advantage of declaring - protection. If you don't mention it, they can then decide you aren't a good fit with the organisation. But if you do, they've got to have something more concrete than 'refused point blank to stand up for 4 hours and got herself a chair to do the same minor aspect of the job whilst seated instead'.

I don't think yabu. Whether or not this is standard practice is beyond my remit to comment on but I once had a prospective job ask me for 3 years worth of my sister's bank statements which we refused to provide.

Thing is were you hospitalised back then? i.e. sectioned or similar? Because if not then I reckon (just my opinion) you could get away with saying you were dealing with grief for personal reasons but reiterate that that was many years ago.

I wasn't sectioned or anything like that, was just going through a tough time. I've slept on it and a earlier poster pointed out that they will ask about earlier medical history. Maybe I was just more touchy as it was a particular subject I don't like to discuss.