Pre-employment Medical Questionnaire - Do I disclose?

Skintgirlx

Hi there,

Just want some advice regarding this issue. I have been unemployed for nearly a year now, and have now fortunately managed to get a good job!

I have had the offer in writing, both via email and in a letter which I have accepted via email. Now the contract has come and with various forms, as you would expect, but the medical questionnaire is still entitled "Pre-employment Medical Questionnaire", I thought these were now defunct however reading up on the new legislation it seems that employers can ask these questions after an offer has been made.

My issue is, I am Bi-Polar, and I have been very upfront with this in previous job applications and guess what? I didn't get offered a single job! Now I haven't said anything, and guess what I got offered.

I am just wondering what to put as one of the questions is do I consider myself disabled under the Disability Discrimination Act? well yes, it is considered a disablement.

The thing is if I tell them, I am worried they could withdraw the offer... they are a big company, so I am sure they could find a way.

Obviously if I dont tell them, and they find out then they can dismiss.. so dont know what is the best thing to do.

Work has never been the direct cause of my illness, it has always been a major stressor like bereavement or divorce... I have been well for nearly year and also I was only diagnosed last year so have worked in the past...

Not sure what to do and would appreciate other people's opinions/advice.

Thanks.

ska_lover

I would be tempted to wing it darling and not tell them. I know there is a lot of bad judgements from some people re bipolar, my sister has the same issues as you - and she doesn't disclose it.

Emmzi

They have offered you the job and cannot now retract on grounds of a disability unless you would need excessive adjustments.

I am guessing (from friends experience although you may be different) that occassionally you may need a short notice day or two off, or adjusted hours sometimes.

If you need these and it comes out later that you lied on your form - that is reason enough ot dismiss, irrespective of your health etc. The lying is the dismissable offence.

So I would tell them.

iamana1ias

ska_lover wrote: »

I would be tempted to wing it darling and not tell them. I know there is a lot of bad judgements from some people re bipolar, my sister has the same issues as you - and she doesn't disclose it.

Until you have an episode in work and they haven't a clue how to handle it. (True story - happened with a colleague who lived alone. She was sent home to avoid disrupting the rest of the workforce and was in such a daze she was hit by a train. )

wantsajob

I think the consideration is whether it is likely to cause any issues in the workplace, no matter how minor (people can be extremely bothered by even minor things). I would guess as you have a diagnosis, that it is. Think of it the positive side, if the position suddenly becomes unavailable after you send the medical questionnaire, you have grounds for an employment tribunal to look into.

ska_lover

iamana1ias wrote: »

Until you have an episode in work and they haven't a clue how to handle it. (True story - happened with a colleague who lived alone. She was sent home to avoid disrupting the rest of the workforce and was in such a daze she was hit by a train. )

oh jesus! awful story

iamana1ias

ska_lover wrote: »

oh jesus! awful story

Indeed. Had she disclosed her condition to her line manager, they could have prepared themselves for the episode, enabling her to remain in work while her family and medical team were notified, and the appropriate treatment provided. As she didn't, her manager was completely unprepared and their only option was to react quickly and remove her from the workplace.

You're only protected if you disclose.

sharnad

May make it worse
Later on if you don't tell them and it comes
out

MrsManda

You should answer the questionnaire honestly and tick yes under the DDA. They cannot revoke your job offer on the strength of your answers unless your condition means you're medically unfit for the role - for example, working as a scaffolder when you've got uncontrolled epilepsy

As others have said, it is much better for your employer to be aware rather than having it sprung on them if you have problems whilst working. Especially as at that point you may be incapable of explaining what is happening.

I wouldn't worry too much, I have had to disclose medical things for all the jobs I've done and my employers have always been supportive. Usually it's a matter of having an occupational health assessment just so that the employer can do their legal duty of care.

donquine

Skintgirlx wrote: »

I am just wondering what to put as one of the questions is do I consider myself disabled under the Disability Discrimination Act? well yes, it is considered a disablement.

My medical condition may be considered a disability by other people, but I don't consider myself to be disabled as I can manage my condition, so I always answer this question as no. "Do you consider...?" is subjective, so I'm not lying by any means. It wouldn't be grounds to revoke a job offer or sack me, because it's not an objective question, like "Do you have any unspent convictions?"

If you don't need any 'reasonable adjustments' to do your job, I don't think you have a duty to disclose your medical condition to anyone. If however you think you may need some adjustments at some point and/or you have needed adjustments in the past, then you should answer yes and hope for the best.

I can't see it going against you at this stage, but I do understand why you would want to keep it quiet.

recci

Personally I wouldn't disclose it! No chance! Whats the worst they can do if they ever find out?..sack you!