Declaring MH on job med questionnaire

[Tea1Sugar]

Help please.

I have postnatal anxiety after a three month wait to find out if my newborn had downs. (She doesn't but as I'm sure you can imagine it was awful).

My current employer sent me to Occ Health to see if I was fit to return from maternity leave. (That ended 10th march) They said no and am to be reviewed next month.

In the meantime I've passed an interview at a dream job for September which I'm delighted I've been offered the job.

I'm not on any medication but I'm having CBT/counselling.

As part of the recruitment process of new job, I have to fill in an online questionnaire. What do I say?

My HV said clearly I'm strong enough if I can pass a lesson observation and two interviews. I don't want them to pull the offer

I wouldn't mention it. You haven't had time off sick you have just extended maternity leave. Go for it!

I have though. A year's maternity leave ended 10th march, I'm now on day 11 of sick leave.

Ah. Does it ask about it on the job app? I thought they weren't allowed to anymore? I wouldn't lie about it but similarly I wouldn't raise it if they don't!

They are usually confidential with an external firm and the employer does not get told details. What they can help with us any adjustments you need to do the job. If you have received and accepted the offer in writing they would be illegal to pull it if you mention MH issues.
I always have been honest as it protects you later should anything happen again and puts your employer on notice ( thro their occ health).
If you have a condition that substatially affects your day to day life that lasts more than 12 months you are covered under the equality act but only if your employer knows.
Congrats on the new job, hope it all goes well.

Yep I've accepted verbally and signed paperwork.

Are you a teacher?

Yes

Does the online questionnaire specifically ask about number of days off and what for? If so I would be honest-say you're having treatment and responding well and that you and your gp don't think it will impact on new job. If it does not ask I simply wouldn't mention it-why would you? Teaching is not like most other recruitment processes.

Haggis how is it different to other processes?

Ime often hr is internal within schools so any confidential documents are on site. A good school will obviously ensure these are dealt with appropriately and info handled appropriately. A poor school will not-I have seen a hod read a medical questionnaire and say 'well that explains that, then'. An online one does suggest it is external which is good. I honestly thought recruitment policy had changed and that employers cannot now ask about sick leave, the same as they are not supposed to ask for age/dob on app forms anymore.

As I said, I would always be honest about it. As the job has been offered, they are entitled to ask, but not to withdraw offer/discriminate on the basis of the replies. I think! www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/85013/employment-health-questions.pdf

As carbonel has already explained but better-apologies!

I meant, obviously, carbonel explained it better than me -suddenly panicked I may have sounded supremely arrogant!!

I had this. I was totally honest on the form and was called for a further assessment with Occ Health. The school were acting as go betweens to organise the appointment but had no idea what it was about.

County were being useless and messing us all about. In the end I told the head teacher exactly what had happened and what I was going through at the time. She was very understanding, phoned County up and said it wasn't necessary, they would employ me regardless.

I was lucky but I would still tell the truth of you are comfortable doing it. Ask to speak in confidence to the head, say you have filled in the form to the best of your ability but that you wanted them to know why it may come back. That you still believe yourself to be capable of doing the job.

If they don't understand, then I'm not sure I would want to work for them tbh!

Really hope it works out for you, congratulations on the job!