Back to Work Interview

[Leni]

I have had a lot of time off work sick over the last 18 months; probably in total about 5 months worth of hours. I am supposed to start back to work at the beginning of February but the company wants me to meet with a senior person from their main HR department first. My manager (who has been infinitely patient with me) says that it's nothing to be worried about - that because of the amount of time I've had off, the company need to know a little more about my ongoing health problems, so they can support me if they reasonably can. My head has gone in to meltdown mode about this 'need to know more'; an entirely unhelpful knee-jerk I'm-not-telling-anybody-anything-ever-wah! response. Does anyone have experience with this sort of thing please? Do I have to tell them what my diagnosis is? Do they have to know if a person's been sectioned? I know I have to tell them some things but how much privacy am I entitled to?

[talaiporia]

As far as I know, unless you're in a field where you require an OH report (nursing, teaching, etc.) then it's up to you to say as much or as little as possible. However, they're there to help, and if you withhold information then you can't use it in future to complain if they don't help make reasonable adjustments etc.

[random.swirls]

If you disclose you would be covered under the equalities act. If you don't disclose you won't be and that could lead to them firing you which much harder when you are covered by the act.

As Sophia says there is no need to disclose so it is your choice.