Off work with depression

Chuzzle

I've been signed off work for 2 weeks due to depression. I know that the major course of my depression is my current job, unfortunately I cannot just walk out of the job because I have bills to pay so I have been looking around for other positions. So far I've had several rejection leters and an interview that turned into a 2nd interview and then the rejection letter. I have just had another interview. IF and it is a HUGE if I get offered the position do I tell them I am currently off with depression?

passatrider

Chuzzle wrote: »

I've been signed off work for 2 weeks due to depression. I know that the major course of my depression is my current job, unfortunately I cannot just walk out of the job because I have bills to pay so I have been looking around for other positions. So far I've had several rejection leters and an interview that turned into a 2nd interview and then the rejection letter. I have just had another interview. IF and it is a HUGE if I get offered the position do I tell them I am currently off with depression?

I would say yes initially as potential employers cannot discriminate on the grounds of a disability.
However, I also live in the real world which means you may not even get an interview if you disclose any health issues. I mean why would they chose you when they have the pick of the crop at the moment in a recession?

Sorry to be negative..

jdturk

It is none of your prospective companies business why you are off but bear in mind that if you ask for a referance your current employers are allowed to tell the truth in the number of sick days you have had off.

Also if your current employers find out you are going on interviews whilst of on the sick then this is not adviseable.

What sick pay do you get and have you looked at the handbook for procedures?

jdturk

passatrider wrote: »

I would say yes initially as potential employers cannot discriminate on the grounds of a disability.
However, I also live in the real world which means you may not even get an interview if you disclose any health issues. I mean why would they chose you when they have the pick of the crop at the moment in a recession?

Sorry to be negative..

Proving that you didn't get the job because of depression is hard unless you accept the job offer and then mention you are currently on the sick....however this would be job suicide from the start and not adviseable

dmg24

passatrider wrote: »

I would say yes initially as potential employers cannot discriminate on the grounds of a disability.
However, I also live in the real world which means you may not even get an interview if you disclose any health issues. I mean why would they chose you when they have the pick of the crop at the moment in a recession?

Sorry to be negative..

Unless the OP's condition is long term, they will not be afforded protection by the DDA.

madhatter10

It's best to be honest. If your employer found out then it would make matters worse for you.

Oldernotwiser

passatrider wrote: »

I would say yes initially as potential employers cannot discriminate on the grounds of a disability.
..

Being off work for a couple of weeks because you're unhappy in your job doesn't count as a disability!

bendix

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

Being off work for a couple of weeks because you're unhappy in your job doesn't count as a disability!

It's just amazing, isnt it? The worrying thing is that people don't seem to think there's anything unusual in this situation.

The OP is too depressed to work, but is not too depressed to look for work.

There is something morally reprehensible in that.

Simon11

I'm no expert on depression nor have I ever had it.

But clearly if you have depression, isn't its better to keep your self active by having a job, rather than sitting around at home with nothing to do and thinking of depression??

dmg24

Simon11 wrote: »

I'm no expert on depression nor have I ever had it.

But clearly if you have depression, isn't its better to keep your self active by having a job, rather than sitting around at home with nothing to do and thinking of depression??

For short term, reactive depression, research would agree with you.

Vader123

Chuzzle wrote: »

IF and it is a HUGE if I get offered the position do I tell them I am currently off with depression?

You may not get a choice to tell them or not. They may get told by your current employer.

They can't say "The OP was signed off due to depression".

But they can say "The OP was signed for x days on y occasions. The OP made it clear at appraisal/meetings/chats that they were depressed".

Vader