What to tell employers?

[Leni]

Does anyone know if you are obliged to tell your employer what medication you're taking? I've always managed to get out of giving my company too much information - they know I've been in a psychiatric ward several times (various sicknotes have been sent from '****** Psychaitric Unit' ) but they don't know much detail. When I go back to work, I will have to fill a form out. Last time I refused to fill out the part asking if you're on medication. I have a different boss now though, and I know he'd be more inclined to demand details than the previous one. Does anybody know how much I have to tell him?

[Stellata]

I would have thought just an outline of the nature of the disability and any specific needs and reasonable adjustments needed, and that you're in treatment and any effects that might have.
It's only been occupational health that've ever asked me re my medication, and now even they know not to!

[startingagain]

Ring the human rights and Equality commission and they will be able to tell you exactly what you need to tell/not tell them. They are really helpful.

[sunshine100]

The only things they need to know are whether it impacts on your work, and whether it compromises your, or your colleagues health and safety.

So if you're operating machinery/around vulnerable children or adults I imagine medication may be important to share. Sitting at a desk....not so much.

This is US law, but I think ours is similar - http://www.ehow.co.uk/info_8421794_d...-employer.html

And I thought this would be useful - http://www.mentalhealthworks.ca/empl...ies/disclosure

[random.swirls]

I think it would depend on your job

Will you see occupational health or is it the HR department or just your boss if the latter I think you would have more rights then say occupational health.

[findingmyself]

Nope you dont have to tell your job anything you dont want to. Just say your not on meds. for me I think its a wise descion not to tell your work about your mental health issues.

[Pi.R^2]

^I'm not sure where you are Lauri, but certainly in England it is sometimes illegal not to declare things. For example in teaching you have an occupational health assessment and if I'm found to have lied, I could very easily lose my job.

Leni- I'm not 100% sure how much you have to tell them, but I'd certainly not advocate lying! Equally I'm not sure how much they're allowed to ask, so it's probably worth seeing if you can refuse to answer certain questions.

[Leni]

Thanks for replying. Lying outright wouldn't benefit me, because I've been in the job a long time and they already know I have problems and have been in psych hospital before. I've just always been hazy on details; I don't want them knowing specifics. It would be a 'back to work interview' with my boss only, although I know he can contact the HR department if he has issues. I guess I'll just have to see how it goes. Right now I don't know when or if I'm even going back. I'm getting ahead of myself.

[Ballerina123]

By law You don't have to tell your employer but you have to declare it to occupational health or the equivalent.