Can your prospective employer check your health records?

[BettyDoodah]

NC for this. Question is pretty much what the thread title says.

BUT,

I work for the NHS but I'm applying for jobs in a different NHS Trust. I was just wondering if they can check/request my health records. Reason I ask is because I've been signed off with stress a few times during the course of my employment (nearly 5 years) as I suffer from anxiety and OCD. Always between 2 weeks and a month never longer than that. I'm looking for another job precisely because of the sour and stressful environment of my current position (also workplace bullying, but that's another topic)

If anyone can help I'd be grateful, TIA :)

They won't look at the records, but... they will almost certainly ask for your sickness absences, and possibly they may do a health screening. And you must tell the truth. It is likely, unless you are underplaying your absences here, that they won't be a problem. But you can be dismissed for failing to tell the truth when asked.

But I will be honest. 2 weeks up to a month on multiple occasions may trigger concerns - I'm not NHS but other public sector, and we'd definitely question it. That said, again, tell the truth without being over the top - unhappy in role, bullying, whatever. As a recruiter myself, I'd rather be told the truth and given the chance to consider how to manage the situation. I'd not withdraw an offer for the truth, but I would if I found someone to be trying to pull the wool over my eyes.

Bump! I've just been signed off with stress yet again, don't want this coming up in checks in case I'm offered a position. The reason of my stress is one particular person who completely spoils the environment for everyone. Not saying I'll never be stressed again but this particular person is just rank.

That may be the case, but seriously you simply cannot lie about sickness absence and it WILL come up if it's recent. I can't think of any employer in the public sector who doesn't ask for sickness over at least two years back. Sometimes more.

When I changed Trust I had to disclose previous absences and then (I think prior to interview, can't quite remember) had a call from occupational health. Mine were all physical conditions but I don't think I'd have been treated any differently for mental health. I'd had a long period off plus also reduced hours for months on top. As long as you can explain it you should be fine.

Thanks for your reply, I appreciate it 🙂

It was three times in nearly five years, twice for two weeks and once for a month. The sickness leave was for a stomach operation that I had and that was for a month too.

I don't plan to mention bullying or stress at interviews unless asked ( I'll have to prepare myself for those questions should they arise coming to think of it). I truly love my job, I know I'm good at it and I like (most of) the team. Unfortunately there's a rotten apple spoiling the basket and I've had enough

You will (like everyone) be referred to Occ Health. This takes the form of a pre employment questionnaire. Depending on how you respond, you will or will not have a telephone interview and further questions. I have never (as a recruiting manager) had sight of these. I have recruited people with long term disabilities which only come to light after they've started, and then I need to manage accordingly. I really wouldn't worry (as it will add to your anxiety) and i really hope you get the new job because that might well mean you can work without worry. Good luck.

@ChrisPPancake and @Lysianthus yes, I had the mandatory interview with OH before I started in my position and I would think that I'll have another one when changing Trust.

Like I said while I have to disclose sickness leave, I'll also have to be careful of what to say and how I phrase things. Thank you for your replies

It helped me to know my bradford score recently for sickness time had off this year. (found an online calculator which gave me the score) it helped give me some strength in what felt a non-escapable situation.

Guess I’ve been pretty lucky, against all disbelief, my own GP surgery gave me an interview for a job I’d quite like to do and one place where I actually didn’t think I could go for a role and were the only ones who seemed genuinely interested enough to have time and hold a discussion with me about recent problems, when the condition started to what went on.

Afraid I’ve only experience of getting offers so far in the private sector, who seem to not ask about health anymore under being politically correct and it’s more declare you are fit to do OUR role, which I actually dislike, like you are offering 110% you are never going to go down again and or there was nothing wrong to start with, that’s the corner that this political rubbish puts someone in. The last offer took an employers reference more than 48 hours before even approaching character references (whom still received full ‘employer type’ references and where were left answering more then explaining whereabouts when out of work, I felt really bad with characters refs having to answer what is being asked of an employer) whilst sickness was unspoken about in an interview with said new employer. I have no desire to withhold the truth, why would I as I cannot predict the future but neither do I like what that means when it comes to going about referencing.

They cannot check your medical records. But they can ask you to complete a health questionnaire, and if you are found not to have been truthful on this you can be dismissed.
It's also very common that NHS references ask for the number of days you've been off sick in last year. I'm f it looks excessive they will send you to OH for a full assessment of your health