Pre-employment health questionnaire - depression

Nixer

I've been offered a job but been asked to fill in a health questionnaire by a third party organisation who say will not disclose the info without my written consent but might want to discuss my answers with me. Amongst other things it asks me whether I have ever suffered from depression, (yes), whether I take any medication (yes) and how many days sickness absence in the last three years, and if more than 14 (it is) to give a reason for it. I will be honest, but do I have to give a reason for my absence? Can they ask my ex employer the reason for my absence? I'm worried that they will withdraw the offer if they get any whiff that I have depression. I believe that they are allowed to withdraw the offer, as depression isn't covered by the DDA, am I right?

Galaxy1987

Best thing to do is to be open and honest. If they don't offer you the job due to this, then its best not to work there. (harsh when you need a job).
As they will get wind of it somehow and could use it against you i.e. bullying etc. but if you have not put it on paper you will have no protection. Depression may not be on the DDA but if it is long enough and severe enough it can be treated as a DDA.

Robie

Johndthomson1987 wrote: »

Best thing to do is to be open and honest. If they don't offer you the job due to this, then its best not to work there. (harsh when you need a job).
As they will get wind of it somehow and could use it against you i.e. bullying etc. but if you have not put it on paper you will have no protection. Depression may not be on the DDA but if it is long enough and severe enough it can be treated as a DDA.

Not easy to be honest though. :-(

My wife not only suffers from depression but also has some psycotic episodes and now is on medication. She is fine with medication btw so that nobody can tell that she has problems at all.

She has been looking for a job for a while and she is not sure what to say on the form any more. She got a job with a council but they somehow found out about her depression. They got *rid* of her like a shot. Luckily she found a job where the company didn't ask about her sickness record, etc. but their pay is almost half of what she was getting at the council. Unfortunately, she has to stick with it because she is *not* being invited for interviews (even though she can do the job with one eye closed) because she had disclosed this fact.

It is very difficult situation for us as we need the money and she needs to get out of the house just to remain sane.

I feel for you OP. Sorry, can't offer any solution but I sympatise as my wife has experienced this first hand.

Robie