Health Questionnaires

[LynnC]

Offered a new job but got dilema about the health questionnaire. I am taking AD's - do I need to tell them? Will it cause concern and retract job offer?

It should be sealed and sent direct to Occupational Health Dept. It should only be opened if you are offered the job and have accepted. Otherwise it should be destroyed without being opened.

If you are not sure what their policy is, phone and ask.

I have been offered the job and accepted verbally and they want me to hand in notice ASAP but now I've got the questionnaire and it asks if on any current medication it scares me to think of handing in my notice to be then turned down by new company.

Are you supposed to take the questionnaire with you on the first day?

No I have to post it in to the Occupational Health Dept like you say but obviously they will receive it before I start the job.

I have turned down 3 jobs because of health 'questionnaires' which I feel are a blatant violation of my privacy.

I wouldn't tell them jack shit.

Agree with ex-pat. I wouldn't turn down the job though. Just tick all the no boxes. It's not like they are going to find out you swallow a wee tablet once or twice a day. And you won't be on them forever anyway.

I had one 'questionnaire' that wanted the person to sign a release for all their medical records.

For a clerical job paying £12,240/annum to start.

LOL!

I sent the 'questionnaire' to my MSP, because the job was a public service one and to several charities concerned with discrimination.

but what happens when or if you require time off, flexible working etc for mental health reasons?

they can't refuse you the job because of this so why not be honest and avoid worry further down the line?

probably explains why I am unemployable! I fill them in truthfully

I thought about just lying and not saying I take them but there is the bit expat said about the release of medical records also. So do I lie and worry if they will or wont check my medical records or tell the truth and wait to see what happens?

so are you never going to mention at work that you suffer from depression?

I dont plan to - I havent told anyone except DP.

most people probably do lie, they lie about their qualifications too ...do they offer any occupational health plans or anything where you would have to give details?

Yes there is a private health scheme which presumably is why they want all this completed.

I guess the private health scheme will only cover for conditions starting after the policy begins....is it like car insurance where if you don't disclose it is invalid?

hopefully an HR or an unemployed person will answer!

an employed person

Thank you anyway

just bumping this in case anyone else has a view

The info should be treated in confidence by OH.

There could be an issue of trust should something come up in the future and they find out you have lied or omitted information. If its lasted a year (or likely to), you could also come under DDA. Most companies wouldn't be too impressed if they found out you hadn't been truthful with them - it works both ways.

Even if you don't tell them though, there is probably little they can do if they do find out. They could see it as a trust issue but under the circumstances they would find it hard to have robust grounds for dismissal.

If you do come under DDA - also has to substantially affect day to day activities, then you could claim disability discrimination if they withdraw the offer as a result of finding out about the illness.

Do they have a drug/alcohol policy? Usually you have to declare all medication if a policy exists in case you get tested. Some drugs can come up as a 'false positive' result.

I think you need to decide whether or not to tell them but be prepared for potentially a hard time if they find out at a later date.