Occupational health

[roses_for_the_dead]

I'm pretty sure this has been asked before but I can't find a definitave answer online.

I have been offered this great job but I got the occupational health form today, I have had depression for the past 6 years ongoing and im terrified about writing that down, but i know i have to.

I know employers can't discriminate against people with mental health but does that cover this situation as I haven't started work yet or signed anything so are they able to change their mind because of what i put on the occupational health form?

I have another physical problem which won't affect work but i may need an odd day off for appointments so i'll have to put that on too. I don't know if they'll think im too much hassle.

Also is it necessary for them to know the medication im on as the meds make me seem worse than i am, even though im stable and have been for a long time. Can i just put some medication on but not all and say i forgot if they find out?

Also do they need my permission before they go to my gp about me? I am going to see my gp to discuss this to let her know i want to know if they contact her.

I'm just terrified of losing this job :(

[roses_for_the_dead]

So even though I haven't signed a contract they can't take the offer back?

What is the assessment like? I really don't want anything like that. I've always dealt with things myself and i'd never need or ask for their help. I dread people finding out, this form goes to my manager not straight to occupational health so shes going to know. Do they check up on you all the time?

I'll be working in a laboratory and i've worked in one before, its what i know. So theres no stress or anything.

[tiptoes]

I have declared mental health on occupational health forms for science jobs and not had any issues. I had a phone call with the occupational health practitioner who asked me about how my depression affected me on a day to day basis. When I started my job everyone had to be seen my occupational health and I think I mentioned it then, can't remember what was the response. I did have a issues with my mental health during whilst working and they have always been accommodating regarding me attending appointments.

[roses_for_the_dead]

I don't really know anything about occupational health so are the people who assess you like doctors? So do they ask personal questions about your illness like what triggered it or to go into detail about how you feel like how doctors do when you go in for medication or is it quite vague?

Was your gp contacted for either of you? If the gp had to do a report do you think that would that be vague as in saying what your diagnosis is and if your stable or not or would they mention anything in your past like any form of abuse? I will ask my gp that im just not sure when ill be able to see her.

I'm glad you both had positive experiences, that makes me feel a little better. Especially as you tiptoes worked in science abd the form mentions a phonecall to save people coming in for a meeting so hopefully ill jist get that. i didnt have a problem in my last lab job but it was agency work so they werent really bothered about health problems.

Im getting more worried if i actually have to speak to someone about it because no one knows except my gp, i dont speak about it to anyone and would do anything to not tell people, just going to hope for a phonecall!

[tiptoes]

The occupational health team at my employer consisted of two nurses and a doctor. My assessment was done over the phone by one of the nurses. They didn't require my GP to do a report for me. The nurses also completed the annual (or maybe 6 monthly) health checks. The only time I saw the doctor was when I had a medical emergency on site.

I have had to have GP reports for my current course and I think all that they have included is a broad diagnosis and that I am under the care of my GP and CMHT. I got to approve the reports prior to them being sent.

[Ballerina123]

If you haven't signed a contract they can definitely take the job away.

Either way you cant lie. They can't discriminate but if they feel work would affect you or your customer negatively then they can fail you at occy health. Although that hardly ever happens.
But yes they can sack you from lying and you have to provide you gp detail or you will just automatically fail occy health.

[tiptoes]

Just wanted to add that the disabilities I disclosed to occupational health were kept confidential and not passed on to my employer. It was just a case of informing them "this person has been cleared by occupational health as fit to work".

Also, the disability discrimination act also covers the application process, so for them to take back the job offer occupational health would have to class you as unfit for the role and that reasonable adjustments would not alter this.

[Pi.R^2]

I don't really know anything about occupational health so are the people who assess you like doctors? So do they ask personal questions about your illness like what triggered it or to go into detail about how you feel like how doctors do when you go in for medication or is it quite vague?

Was your gp contacted for either of you? If the gp had to do a report do you think that would that be vague as in saying what your diagnosis is and if your stable or not or would they mention anything in your past like any form of abuse? I will ask my gp that im just not sure when ill be able to see her.

Yeah, the people who assess you are medical professionals. My assessment was quite detailed, but I am a teacher, which means I have lots of responsibilities with children, so I imagine that's why it was quite so rigorous. My GP was contacted for a report, though I think that was only seen by the occupational health doctor. As Sarah said, I had the option of viewing the report before it was sent. It was pretty boring, just assessments and referral letters and stuff.

At the end of the day, it is not a process invented to trip you up, but to check that the job won't adversely affect your health and make sure that reasonable adjustments (such as time off for your appointments) are put in place. I know it's uncomfortable having to share stuff that you'd rather not share, but it's much easier to get it all sorted at the beginning so you can get on with your job, than to lie and get into bother later if you have any difficulties and they find out that you didn't declare your mental health difficulties.