health declaration

[wildly insane]

I have an interview for a job on Friday and they want me to fill in a health declaration form and for me to give permission for their health advisor to look at my doctors notes, which I know I'm allowed to refuse, but could affect me getting the job. I am also able to give the health declaration in a sealed envelope so only the health advisor can read it but even so...

The question I don't know how to answer is "Have you ever had Depression or any stress related illness (if yes please give details including dates and medication if prescribed)"

Does anybody have any ideas? I'm guessing I just have to say yes, but I've never taken any days off because of depression or SH, i've always been good at my work so it shouldn't make the blindest bit of difference, but I have had to go to the doctors recently and it's on my doctors notes, but if I say no then they are less likely to look at my doctors notes. I really don't see why they need to know. What if it is the reason they don't hire me but they don't tell me that, they just give me other excuses.

any advice or similar experiences would be helpful

Thanks

[Silver Phoenix]

No advice I'm afraid but I would like to see any answers you get as I'm in the same position. Think I'm probably going to say yes to having depression and that I've had counselling. Also I had 2 weeks off work last year, sort of due to depression (mainly due to collegues making me feel crap, can't really say that through!) so gonna have to put that as well I suppose.

[Heidi Tiger]

Disclose it.

Legally they can't discriminate against you for having depression because of the disability discrimination act. However if you fail to disclose the information and it later comes out you can be fired.

The information has to remain confidential and is meant to be that if you needed any adjustments to your working conditions they may be able to do so.

most employers nowadays realise that depression isn't always an issue and if your doctors records show that your condition is stable then you should be fine. Perhaps you could include an extra note saying that yes you have depression but you don't feel it has ever hindered you in the work place.

[Animad]

Agrees entirely with Heidi.

If you don't want them to look at your doctors notes then put that on the form and they can't. In all honesty they are unlikely to anyway if you say you have depression but it doesn't really affect your work; they are more likely to with things that could have a big impact on your ability to do the job just to see how they can adapt things.

[sparklyshoes]

I've never had a problem with it to be honest and I have put it in the job applications/uni application that I filled out. It's always best to be honest about things, as has been said before me they can't legally discriminate against you for having depression. x

[HopeRises]

Yes disclose it.

I once didn't disclose I was on medication for depression (although the work place didn't ask me) then something happened relating to my medication (well it could have been the meds) and then I dislosed the fact I was taking anti-depressents and that was the likley cause of my faliure they sacked me not because of my faliure. I still believe they would have kept me on as I was temprarily ill and under stress (I had just suffered a breavement) but because I didn't disclose I was on medication.

I like you, hadn't had a day off sick due to depression, my tablets didn't affect me normally and they didn't ask me so I didn't even think to declare it. (the reason meds were affecting me so much was cause I was at high altitude) So yes declare it.

I disclosed my depression to my current job and they signed me fit to work with them. So moral of the story, your better off disclosing it than not.
Cause like others have said, they can't discriminate but they can fire you for not disclosing something.

Sorry this is long.

[wildly insane]

Thanks guys, much appreciated