Advice needed for Job Health Questionnaire

Malti

Hi Guys and Girls

Need a bit of advice, and the background to this is a bit long winded.

I worked in the private sector for nearly 20 years until the beginning of this year. 2 years ago the department I'd worked in for 18 years was closed and I was moved to another department. Within 2 months the line manager's job came up and both myself and another applied for the job. I didn't get the job and I found out later from other colleagues in the department that they hadn't dared apply for the job as "life would be unbearable" if this individual hadn't got the job. Afte the interview everything I did was criticised by this new line manager and I went through disciplinary panels and was eventually dismissed as senior managers were unable or unwilling to challenge this individual who was married to a senior member of staff. Obviously I had annual appraisals with line managers and the first 18 years were exemplary

During this time I had a total of 14 days off with stress.

After 4 months of job interviews I've been offered a job with the NHS pending a sucessful CRB check (which isn't a problem) BUT they've sent me a occupational Health Questionnaire which asks "Have you ever had a mental health problem or psychiatric illness ie nerves, phobias, stress, anxiety" etc.

How do I answer this without it sounding like I'm rubbishing my previous employer? Also can they withdraw the offer of employment?

Eliza_2

Are you sure they've offered it to you yet? It's probably provisional pending CRB, references and health check, so it isn't an offer. Only when you get the formal offer does it count as a firm thing. When I worked in the NHS, we were very careful not to formally offer until everything was cleared, been bitten too many times but people starting work then getting bad refs or questionable CRBs etc afterwards and having to get them to leave - not easy. The NHS are usually really careful not to come unstuck any more.

To be honest, they're not going to be worried about a few days off through everyday stress. They really want to know about serious illnesses, maybe long periods of sickness, hospitalisation etc. And in the NHS, as other places, they will do their best to help you with it, not necessarily see it as a drawback, certainly not grounds for not employing you if everything else is ok and you're the best person for the job. They know that in some jobs or even life circumstances there is more likely to be stress, and they always hope that the job they're offering you is going to be stress-free.

If anything, they're more likely to question why you were dismissed, it's as well to think up a bit of a positive spin on that if possible, obviously not lying, but not being negative about your previous employer either. What are your references likely to be like?

And congratulations on the job too, hope you find it interesting.

Liz

hellokitty08

Just put yes. Only one Occy Health company have ever phoned me to ask for more details. I just put yes, anxiety on the form. They phoned up to aks if I had treatment and how long for.
When i worked in HR, we either just simply got a yes, they passed occ health or a not saying something like, this person has previously had this condition, but this will not effect their work, or they might need this adjustment in the workplace. Hopefully as is was such a short time, it might not even show up on the final report given to the employer.

skintdragon

Just answer it as honestly as possible.

They may make arrangements to meet and chat with you about this (if they don't ask for a written explanation off you). It is unlikely that they will retract the job offer, or disadvantage you in any way.

It's nothing to worry about. Occupational Health have to ask about physical and mental issues, so just think of it as a holistic approach! The information you provide is confidential.

Good luck with your new job! :A

Malti

Thank you all for your answers, this has made me feel a lot better.

If asked why I was dismissed I was going to say I was in a redundancy position but wanting to remain employed I chose redeployment, and I was redeployed into a role that was unsuitable.

dmg24

Malti wrote: »

Thank you all for your answers, this has made me feel a lot better.

If asked why I was dismissed I was going to say I was in a redundancy position but wanting to remain employed I chose redeployment, and I was redeployed into a role that was unsuitable.

Be careful about being dishonest as to why you left. The NHS are very likely to ask your former employer the same question. If you are honest, they will give you a chance to explain. If you are dishonest, they are unlikely to take your application any further.

Malti

I've no intention of being dishonest, this is a brief, but accurate version of events.

crackerberry

I had a similar dilemma a while back. I said "yes" then in the notes part said it was work related stress caused purely by a manager's bullying which resulted in a grievance and which I considered to be a one off event due to circumstances stated.

Something like that anyway.

I had a call afterwards from the OH dept. I said the same again, she was totally fine with it and that was that.

heretolearn_2

If asked why I was dismissed I was going to say I was in a redundancy position but wanting to remain employed I chose redeployment, and I was redeployed into a role that was unsuitable.

This is being dishonest if you don't mention you were dismissed. I know you haven't explicitely lied that you left of your own accord, but it is implied in your statement. They will just ask 'reason for leaving' on your reference, and your employer will put 'dismissed'. That's all, no explanations, so if it doesn't tie up with what you've said they won't make the offer.

You could put 'I was dismissed after redeployment (offered as an alternative to redundancy)into a role I was unsuited for.