Occupational health assessment (pre job)

[goldenpinkgold]

Hiya and good morning - first time poster! 😊

After months of trying I managed to secure a new job (yay) that I can work 4 days a week at, pretty flexible (mostly WFH) - that pays more than I was getting working full time …all great meaning more time with my wee one !!!

Its public sector. I was in local government then the civil service yonks ago before so kinda know how the sector works. My contracts all signed, I’ve been into the office and had a few calls informal calls with my two managers already! Looks like a great place to work and I’m excited to start which should be first week of November!

Anyhoo I’ve been pretty open with my new work about my disabilities. I’ve never been on long term sick but I do have autism which impacts me in the office and workplace slightly as well as depression I’m medicated for. I’ve also got a bit of chronic pain that flares up and down…I’ve had tests done and the docs know what causes it - was mediciated for it before getting pregnant but now that’s just managed through at home physio exercises (I’ve had 3 rounds before) and inbuprofen when needed. 😝

Ive spoke about adjustments to my manager and that’s all been fine (for me all I need is more focused instructions on tasks and training plus a footrest + ergonomic mouse mat) but I had to do a health questionnaire as standard anyway from OH.

But now the OH company are contacting me for an appointment?? I’m not sure what the standard is for these now - I’ve done two before but during Covid so they were on the phone. Is that still quite normal, particularly for what I’m describing???

I dunno but it makes me feel uncomfortable having to be examined by a doctor and do a full physical if not. I’d love to know others thoughts and experiences particularly in the public sector.

any advice before I phone them back would be fab! TIA xxx

It's unlikely to be a physical exam. Appointment may be with a nurse or Dr.
They will want to discuss any medical conditions or disabilities you have which may affect you in the workplace. They'll want to understand how they affect you, what steps you've taken to manage them, what treatments you're having. They may also want a report from your Dr. They're really just checking you are well enough and able enough to turn up at work and do the job.

They will recommend any reasonable adjustments you need to your manager.
It will be fine, it's routine if you've declared health conditions or disabilities.
Congratulations on the new job

I agree it's unlikely to be a physical exam. I've done a pre-employment screening before and it's to establish a baseline so they can measure against if required to ensure your work doesn't make your health worse, and to understand what accommodations might be needed to enable you to work.

I spent time working in an Occupational Health department and they are very much on the side of looking after the employees (though their ultimate remit is to prevent the business from doing harm that could get them sued).

Is it definitely a face to face appointment, as that is very unusual if so, they are normally telephone appointments unless there is a lot of sickness recorded. It sounds more like it’s to tick boxes, as you have declared a disability, and to check what adjustments are needed going forward. Good luck!

Thanks to people for replying 😁
So they sent me a letter yesterday - phone appointment on Monday but said outcome of that may mean an in person appointment. Here’s hoping a phone appointment is okay, especially since my new work are already aware of my adjustments!

I work in Occuption health(admin not clinical) - On our systems if the questionnaire has any 'yes' answers to any medical questions, it just automatically sends for a telephone appointment to discuss over the phone with a clincian and they then declare you fit for work if applicable. hopefully there is nothing at all to worry about

Thank you

I have a phone assessment next week

Never had1 b4