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Occupational health questionnaire for new job

2 replies

Lagalloise · 23/12/2025 09:36

Looking for some insight from people who have more experience than me of OH questionnaires before confirmation in post.

I have been offered a new job - a senior role in a medium-large charity. I’m currently in a senior role in a small charity and have always previously worked in small charities.

New employer has sent an occupational health questionnaire to be completed to ‘ensure staff are medically fit to carry out their role’. I’ve never had any dealings with occupational health in this way before, having only worked for very small charities, so this is new to me.

My slight worry is that I’ve recently had 6 weeks of sick leave due to burnout. My job has been insanely stressful for the last two years, and I was already experiencing burnout symptoms (loss of focus, motivation, enjoyment in my work etc.), then had a bereavement on top of that and just broke - so my manager suggested I take time off. It ended up being 6 weeks. My manager and GP were amazing and v supportive, and I was able to gently return to work and felt so much better. I have also been successful with this new job, which has been a much-needed boost.

I know I have to declare this period of absence - the questionnaire asks outright about absences of more than 2 weeks plus any experiences of time off with stress.

Question is: does anyone know if this could affect the job offer and/or what they’re likely to do with this information?

OP posts:
Canopop · 23/12/2025 09:39

Just declare it and then if asked about it explain the reason! Burnout/depression/anxiety are all legitimate reasons to have time off, there was a reason you were looking for a new job, no one looks if they’re 100% happy and occupational health won’t have an issue. I work in the nhs where they do these reviews also mainly because there is support they could offer if an issue became apparent or something later down the line. You’re allowed to have been off sick x

Lagalloise · 23/12/2025 11:48

Thank you, that’s very reassuring!

OP posts:
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