Can my job offer be rescinded because I had Post natal anxiety?

[sleepysox]

Long winded- sorry. I'm not sure what info you need, so I'll tell it all! Hope someone can help!

I have been a supply teacher at the same school for 2 years. Finally a part time post came up and I got the job.

In my time as a supply teacher, I worked enough hours to get maternity pay. That has just finished and I have been back at school supplying.

While I was on mat leave I suffered from anxiety because at 35 weeks pregnant I was told my baby would die at birth, and then when he was born, was told he'd be severely disabled. He is disabled, but not as badly as they 1st thought.

I suffered from anxiety as a consequence, and had 3 sessions of counselling and now 10 months down the line, I'm back to my old self.

I had to fill in a medical questionaire in whcih they asked if I'd ever suffered from anxiety, so I was honest and told them.

My doctor said they will contact him for more info, as they need to make sure I'm not psychotic or suicidal (which I'm not), he said he'd tell them I'm fine but I might need more support (which I don't). I asked him not to say the support bit, but he's a bit of a loose canon and I'm worried that what he says might jeopardise my job.

Also, I'm worried that they might rescind the offer, as the head doesn't know about the baby issue- as she's new and arrived when I was on mat leave. She might think I'm not up to the job.

Also, will the head even get to know the info, or is it just the council who will have it on record?

I'm getting more and more nervous about this, as I need this job for emotional and financial reasons.

Please can anyone of you lovely ladies help?

Have you started the job yet or are you waiting to start this September?

I'll be starting this September.

Anyone?

what was the medical questionnaire ask? FWIW I had to fill out a medical form when I applied for my job, but didn't think it would affect my employment status?

No, I meant what was the purpose of the medical questionnaire?

This might help a bit www.direct.gov.uk/en/Employment/Employees/Startinganewjob/DG_10026703

I think they'd be less likely to employ you if you hadn't suffered anxiety about the baby, because then you'd be some kind of sociopathic automotan. Presumably the doctor will write the circumstances on his report.

Perhaps one of the mental health charities like Mind would be able to give you some advice or hopefully some reassurance about this?

It asked whether I had ever suffered from depression or anxiety. It was one of many questions, for example- have I ever had heart problems, had time off work for stress, what my height and weight were, amount of time I'd had off sick in the past 2 years etc.

It was just a general medical questionnaire sent out by the council that they give to all new employees.

I'm just paranoid that the new head will think I'm not up to the job and will look for a way to wriggle out of the offer of employment, if she finds out about my son.

Thanks for the link Grumpy.

I think as it was post natal anxiety they would be on extremely shaky ground to rescind your job offer.

Brilliant- thanks Trixy. I think you're most likely right, but I won't feel happy until I've signed that contract!

The medical questionaire will be sent to county occupational health. They may well phone you to ask some questions.

The head teacher is unlikely to find out about your medical history unless occupational health feel that you are unfit.

Excellent news reallytired. I am so glad to hear that. My new head isn't known for her compassion and I just want to keep my head down and do a good job. She doesn't need to know about my home circumstances.

These kind of questionnaires are fairly standard and the anxiety question will be designed to tease out those people who might struggle to adapt to the high-stress environment of teaching, or those who regularly find it diffiuclt to cope with normal levels of stress.

Neither of these apply to you and although they may ask your GP for more info (it depends how explicit you were on the form) I would be amazed if they were bothered about it enough to 'do' anything (in terms of rescinding offer or suchlike). You rreaction was normal in the circumstances and if they rescinded you could have a case for indirect discrimination.

I suffered from depression in my early 20's and when I was offered jobs with the police force and later as a Learning Support Assistant I had to write this on the medical forms.

The police sent me for an interview with force psychologist and then agreed to employ me with no sick pay if I was off work due to a pre existing medical condition. Also had to have quarterly reviews with psychologist. I was only there for 9 months but made no difference in that time.

Local council HR Department rang me, asked when was the last time I had any treatment, and whether I took medication. Were then happy to employ me. I assume the staff at my school were unaware as it was never mentioned.

THis is all sounding good.
Thanks ladies for putting my mind at rest.

Besom- I'll look up mind later and see what they say about the situation. Great idea.

I'm glad the school won't find out. I don't want people to judge me, when I'm more than capable of doing the job.

Hi Sleepysox, Stress is covered under the Disability Discrimination Act, so it would be difficult for them to withdraw the offer just for this. Also - maybe you could be covered under the Sexual Discrimination Act.

And finally - just as a point of interest, whne the Equalities Act comes in all health questions have to be deleted from applications unless it is specifically to do with assisting in the interview process.

Hope this helps
xx

OOh I didn't know that about the Disability Discrimination act- that's worth knowing, as is the fact that health questionnaires have to be deleted. Thanks for that MrsFC.

I'm probably being paranoid about the whole situation, but this is the first thing that's gone right for me in a long while and I'm worried something will come along to mess it up.

MrsFC, sorry to contradict you, but that's not quite right.

The Equality Act will prohibit health questionnaires to candidates, not those with job offers. Once an offer is made, those provisions will not be relevant.

Also, stress itself is not a disability. However, associated medical conditions (anxiety disorder, depression) can be.

OP- you should be fine. They just want to tease out people who cannot cope with the job. As others have said, this would normally be done by Occ Health, who may follow up but should be happy with the situation .

If your ill health has lasted or is likely to last 12 months, you may have a disability, in which case the first step if your responses disclose issues is to think about ways of supporting you. Otherwise you have a discrimination claim. There may also be indirect sex discrimination issues since it's pregnancy related.

Try and stay calm. All sounds very normal and standard so far.

Thanks RibenaBerry :)

I suffered PND after the birth of my DD and applied for a permanent teaching post when she was 8 months old, I was still on my ADs and breastfeeding. Answered all the Qs on the medical form truthfully and got a call from Occupational Health to discuss things. In reality it was a five minute chat - was I still on ADs, did i think i could cope with the job, was i feeling better in myself, did i need somewhere at work to express. And that was it! I really wouldn't worry. Best of luck

Forgot to say my Headteacher was not informed, goes on you personnel file only. I told her ages later in the course of a private conversation but it was really no big deal