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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Legal and ethical dilemma

173 replies

sunshine080 · 09/06/2023 21:40

My job requires a professional registration in order to perform. My current registration expires shortly and I have been contacted to renew it. In order to renew I have to confirm that I am still fit to practice, and declare that there have been no changes to my health that would impact this. So I have two choices; lie and keep my job (because without a registration, I have no job), or declare my health issues, be unable to renew and lose my job - which subsequently means losing my house, being unable to support my family and child, etc. I am already in a high state of anxiety about this predicament and the closer it gets to the expiration date, the worse it's getting.

WWYD?

OP posts:
RoseslnTheHospital · 09/06/2023 21:43

You'd be exposing yourself to all kinds of liabilities, possibly both civil and criminal if you lie and keep your job as a result.

Is there no way your workplace could move you into a different role that isn't impacted by the health issue? Or make some adjustments to enable you to practice?

Justcallmebebes · 09/06/2023 21:43

I'm sorry to hear that OP but the answer depends entirely on the condition and how it impacts your job, so if you're a surgeon diagnosed with Parkinsons for instance, then yes, that's a problem

Jojobees · 09/06/2023 21:44

What sort of impairment are we talking, in what job?
neurosurgeon with a tremor, you have to declare.
Any sort of driver with epilepsy/seizures you have to declare.

But Im sure there are lots of jobs where a new diagnosis of a lot of conditions wouldn’t impair your ability to do your job.

Dacadactyl · 09/06/2023 21:46

Is there nothing occupational health could do for you? I'm not entirely sure of their purpose but think it might be stuff like this.

Personally, I wouldn't lie. I'd fess up to the medical condition myself. It would be far worse if you were discovered and then you would have the legal ramifications of that to contend with (on top of all the shit you're trying to avoid by lying)

Cornflakecrack · 09/06/2023 21:46

You cannot lie in this situation it is unethical and illegal most likely.
Can HR support you?

AuroraForever · 09/06/2023 21:46

Would you be able to live with yourself if you lied to keep your job and something went wrong or someone was harmed because of it?

mayorofcasterbridge · 09/06/2023 21:48

What would the impact be if you failed to disclose?

ThatFraggle · 09/06/2023 21:49

It would invalidate insurance. Are you ok being on the hook for a legal settlement if something goes wrong and you're not insured?

Whinge · 09/06/2023 21:50

You cannot lie about something like this. Imagine if something went wrong and you ended up causing hurt or harm to another person, which subsequently led to losing their job / house, being unable to support their family and child/ren.

If you're not able to safely do you job then you need to look at other jobs.

fucktonofcats · 09/06/2023 21:50

sunshine080 · 09/06/2023 21:40

My job requires a professional registration in order to perform. My current registration expires shortly and I have been contacted to renew it. In order to renew I have to confirm that I am still fit to practice, and declare that there have been no changes to my health that would impact this. So I have two choices; lie and keep my job (because without a registration, I have no job), or declare my health issues, be unable to renew and lose my job - which subsequently means losing my house, being unable to support my family and child, etc. I am already in a high state of anxiety about this predicament and the closer it gets to the expiration date, the worse it's getting.

WWYD?

If you think your health issues would result in you being unable to renew... presumably, you also think you're not fit to do the actual job anymore? Are your health issues permanent/long-term, or are they likely to improve?

You may have reached a point in your career where you need to change tack. Are there any sideways moves you could make?

For example, if you are not able to practise yourself, are you able to safely train other people?

Does your professional body have a members line you can call for advice, so you can figure out what your options are?

I do understand why you're so stressed, but it comes down to one of two things. Either your health isn't as bad as you think it is, and you'll be allowed to continue, OR your health means you need a change of job, and the sooner you come to terms with that, the sooner you can explore your options.

Life can throw us some curve balls sometimes. What happens next may not be the path you planned, but that doesn't make it a bad one.

Lovestodrinkmilk · 09/06/2023 21:52

Could you claim an ill-health pension, if you are unable to do your current job?

TimeSlipMushroom · 09/06/2023 21:53

Totally depends on your job and your health issue! You are not automatically banned for having a health problem! Multiple professionals practice safely with mental and physical health issues. Can you give us more info OP?

Leftphalange100 · 09/06/2023 21:53

If you're unsure, look up the Glasgow bin lorry crash and see what can happen when you don't declare medical history.

As others have said, if it is going to impair your ability and put others at risk then you have to declare

PriOn1 · 09/06/2023 21:54

Are you fit to practise? Will continuing place other people’s lives in danger or have other significant consequences?

Is there a pathway that you can take that will allow you to retain your registration?

I think only you can answer this. If you will place other people in danger, and you knowingly go ahead, then you will have to live with knowing what you’ve done.

If you go ahead and the worst happens, what then would be the impact on your family and child? Might you go to prison?

For me, it depends on consequences and upon whether whatever health problems you are dealing with will genuinely make you unfit to practise, or whether it’s more of a technicality and you feel secure that in lying, you will not put others at risk.

Objectrelations · 09/06/2023 21:55

Yes context is everything here

Lougle · 09/06/2023 21:58

There is no dilemma. Declare your change of health/circumstance. Let them decide if that impairs your practice. Keep your integrity.

NowYouSee · 09/06/2023 22:03

Either

a) (most likely) the situation is nowhere near as binary as you think and it can be worked through with the regulator or

b) you patently aren’t actual fit to practice in which case clearly you shouldn’t be practicing.

which one is it?

fuckmyuteruslining · 09/06/2023 22:06

I don't get this. If you aren't fit to work then You can't work. I don't see why the professional registration issue is the thing causing you anxiety? Surely the health problem is the problem?

Ineedsleepandcoffee · 09/06/2023 22:07

If you are not fit to practice you have to declare it. There is no reasonable choice. I'm sorry for your situation but you know it would be wrong to lie.

drpet49 · 09/06/2023 22:08

Time to accept that you are not fit to practice. I can’t believe you are even thinking about lying.

User1367349 · 09/06/2023 22:12

Please, please take some professional advice and/or discuss with your professional body or union. There are plenty of clinicians with long term conditions who are fit to practice in some capacities but not all capacities.

ErmentrudeTheCow · 09/06/2023 22:12

Totally depends on your job and your health issue! You are not automatically banned for having a health problem!

This^
More context needed. But yes it can have devastating effects. I see a OP has mentioned the Glasgow bin lorry crash. Very tragic consequences

StopFeckingFaffing · 09/06/2023 22:14

If you have a health condition which impairs your fitness to practice then surely this will become apparent to your employers/colleagues in which case burying your head in the sand will only avoid you facing the issue in the very short term

Surely better to be honest and explore whether adjustments can be made to your job role to allow you to continue safely and legally

ErmentrudeTheCow · 09/06/2023 22:16

You are saying you will lose your house and not be able to support your family.
Do you not have any transferable skills that would enable you to get another job? If it's lower paid could you downsize?

Elevel · 09/06/2023 22:16

As others have said, depends on the job and health condition.
If you're a surgeon who has unfortunately been diagnosed with epilepsy, definitely not.
If you're a taxi driver who's been diagnosed with GAD, you should be fine.

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