I have an interview on wed, on the health form it asks

[exasperatedmummy]

if i have any "nervous or mental disorders "nerves"" WTF??? ooooh, me "nerves" are bad . The thing is, i DO have "nerves" i am on medication and having counselling for anxiety, will this go against me. The post is for a FE lecturer.

bump

It shouldn't. Surely all they should be doing is checking that you're stable with your medication and that you have it in control.

lie

no don't lie if you don't want, I supoose it is there to tailor the support available to you. If it helps, it won't affect your chances, and only personal department will see it not your immediate colleagues/boss.

The form will probably go straight to Occupational Health who will either want to see you or have a chat with you over the phone. If they are sure that you are fit to carry out the role effectively they will confirm that without revealing your medical history.

If they decide that you are not fit to carry out the role effectively, it is possible that any offer of employment will be withdrawn, or, adjustments made to the job.

I'm sure that any withdrawal of an offer is unlikely, however.

And if i lie?

Is it a teaching post, I have been honest on my application forms and it has never stopped me getting a job. I have made it clear however that my health does not effect my work in a serious way.

My first teaching job after illness was in a school that most people would not want to teach in so I think they gave me the job as they were desperate. They asked to see my medical records and I said no but said I would consent to any medical check ups etc. I stuck out at that job for three years which earned me enough brownie points to get a job at a more desirable school.

If you lie it could trip you up in the future.

lie

Don't lie, as twinset says, it will bite you later.

Your medical history will not preclude you from getting the job. They'll just need to be reassured that you are fit to carry out the role effectively. What is your absence record like?

dh had a job offer withdrawn a couple of months ago for being honest - even though he had good references, explained he was fit for work again and was happy for them to talk to his doc to prove it.

So based on that experience, I'd lie. But check out the risks of lying - ask ACAS.

yes twinset, it is for a science lecturer, post 16. I will speak to my counsellor, see what she suggests that i put down. This does seem a little unfair, but understandable i guess Makes me feel a bit of a freak tbh.

I have been SAHM for past three years, i had PND which has lead to severe anxiety, it is under control with medication and im having counselling.

Of course I posted on your other thread.

Say you had PND on your form then.

That seems reasonable, they will probably assume its under control now three years on

Hope you were successful in your interview! For future reference, if you choose to disclose your past mental health difficulties, you can do so at any stage in the application/interview process. Advice sometimes offered is to say nothing until you are actually offered the position and then mention it. If the offer is withdrawn, you then know that they are discriminating on the grounds of your disclosure, as they've already determined through the interview process that you are fit to do the job. You then have a case against them for discrimination under the DDA.

If you disclose on the application form or in the interview, it's best to have rehearsed how you will explain your problem. Keep it short and sweet and sandwich the explanation between two positive statements, as the positive is what is remembered most. So for example, you might say something like:

'I'm an experienced and committed lecturer and have successfully overcome a short period of PND. I know feel stronger and more determined as an individual and can't wait to get back in front of a class again, doing what I do best!!'

...the bit about PND is not emphasised but your enthusiasm is.