New job and depression

System

Personally, i'd be honest. with my current job i did declare i have bipolar. I'm glad i did as it has caused a few small problems, but declaring it meant work were aware of it and were able to make the reasonable adjustments i needed to enable me to be able to cope with the job. I do understand those saying don't declare it, but i did that with my last job. And due to being off sick because of my mental illness i lost my job and didn't have a leg to stand on as i never made my employers aware of it.

zzzLazyDaisy

I would be honest but positive about the episode of depression and include a copy of the GP's letter. Most good employers would not discriminate against a prospective employee for this. Also large employers with a HR department will be aware of this case, which was well publicised at the time

http://www.lawgazette.co.uk/55941.article

TrickyWicky

Yorkie1 wrote: »

If the OP lies and becomes unwell again (and depression can be recurrent in many of those who suffer from it) then the employer will in all likelihood seek an OH or GP report. This will reveal the fact of the previous depression.

Again whats with the wrongful assumptions? GPs have to put the health of their patient first. Any report by your GP can be seen before it is sent and CAN have influential parts adjusted. I've had to do this myself and my GP was only to happy to do the best thing for me to help me keep my job.

xXMessedUpXx wrote: »

I do understand those saying don't declare it, but i did that with my last job. And due to being off sick because of my mental illness i lost my job and didn't have a leg to stand on as i never made my employers aware of it.

You should have contacted your GP about this straight away at the time rather than let your GP reveal everything. Had you done that, you'd probably still be employed there.

zzzLazyDaisy wrote: »

I would be honest but positive about the episode of depression and include a copy of the GP's letter. Most good employers would not discriminate against a prospective employee for this. Also large employers with a HR department will be aware of this case, which was well publicised at the time

http://www.lawgazette.co.uk/55941.article

While I do respect what you're saying Daisy, not everyone has the law on their side like you legal pro's. For the little person it can be very hit and miss. The op has already handed in their notice and if they do declare the depression and get the offer withdrawn, they're stuffed.

BJV

Was going to post something then decided not to. Really not worth the all employers are **** comments.

I am an employer and proud of it, I work hard, my team works hard. Are we perfect no.

Op you do must do what you think is right.

Again can not stress not every employer is a two headed monster. Some of us are human and realise that to get the best out of our team we have treat them like human beings. Human beings who will and do get unwell from time to time.

Depression is such a wide reaching condition that affects so many people it is not something to be hidden away. No it is no a badge of honour but having depression does not mean that you can not be productive and contribute.

For me and my business the most expensive cost is staff. They take years to train and cost a fortune. Brutal honestly is a major aspect of our business and something that we encourage.

I found that be everyone being honest it stopped all the office clicks and politics. It may not suit everyone but it suits us.

So has someone called in and said sorry I was out night before not going to able to come in yes. I would much rather that than some-one pretend to have a non-existent cold.

OP I hope it works out for you but please remember that not all employers are two headed monsters who breath fire and eat people.

And just because you have depression does not mean that you are not going to get and keep the job!

Proc

As an employer I would lose interest if someone had depression. I would lie about my reasoning but ultimately unless I was recruiting for a really hard to fill position I wouldn't make an offer or would find reason to withdraw an offer.

Most people have this stance (they just won't admit it).

Just lie. Don't mention it. If it's not a big deal, and you don't expect additional adjustments, then don't mention it.

TrickyWicky

Proc wrote: »

As an employer I would lose interest if someone had depression. I would lie about my reasoning but ultimately unless I was recruiting for a really hard to fill position I wouldn't make an offer or would find reason to withdraw an offer.

Most people have this stance (they just won't admit it).

Just lie. Don't mention it. If it's not a big deal, and you don't expect additional adjustments, then don't mention it.

Wow!

I am shocked! Not by your attitude but by your honesty.

Everyone else in this thread that is an employer claims they're squeaky clean equal opps types and that the op should put everything on the line and be honest. It's actually good to hear from an employer like yourself because it brings us back to reality.

BJV

TrickyWicky wrote: »

Wow!

I am shocked! Not by your attitude but by your honesty.

Everyone else in this thread that is an employer claims they're squeaky clean equal opps types and that the op should put everything on the line and be honest. It's actually good to hear from an employer like yourself because it brings us back to reality.

Back down to reality mm perhaps perhaps not. More likely just just someone with the same point of view.

Don't think I have seen one post saying Anyone thought that they where perfect?

Lie ? Why not? Won't matter? Got to say a bit shocked. Lie about your medical background then what?

Qualification's? Criminal Record hey what hell why not? Doesn't matter?

TrickyWicky

BJV wrote: »

Qualification's? Criminal Record hey what hell why not? Doesn't matter?

Most employers check certificates so thats a no go. Criminal record can be checked too.

Seriously those were two very bad examples.

BJV

TrickyWicky wrote: »

Most employers check certificates so thats a no go. Criminal record can be checked too.

Seriously those were two very bad examples.

Oh right got it. At last the penny has dropped.

So its ok to lie or miss lead if you think you can get away with?

Perhaps that's where I have been going wrong all these years.


So that's me off to apply for a £300,000 heart surgeon' s job. Can not do it. Don't have the qualifications but not to worry. By the time they check my references I will have got the job and hey then its too late!


Ok sorry that was tongue and cheek but again have to say from my experience at least honestly is always the best policy.

As an employer and a human being I am no where near perfect, don't actually think anyone is but at least I know I can look myself in the mirror and know that I have not got to hide anything. its me wart's and all

I know it is easy for me to say. Not my job etc but to actively encourage someone to mislead a new employer???

I know that you are entitled to your opinion based on what you feel to be true but honestly?

Sounds really sad and hate to admit it but I was talking about this thread last night over dinner with my OH and children and then again this morning in the staff room. Just really can not understand why you would take this stance.

Depression is almost as common as the common cold, most of us will at one time or another suffer so it is nothing to be ashamed of or hide.

Ok not everyone feels this way but until we all stop !!!!!-footing around mental health issues it will never change.

Trying to hide it is almost as bad as being the employer who would withdraw the offer.

The Op has depression and is getting treatment. They are not an axe murder.

indsty

First, I have not read all the replies in this topic, but have been saddened by those I have seen.
It will of course, depend on the individual employer who is offering the OP a job. However, I get the feeling this is within the "health service" in some capacity. Large health concerns (including the NHS) will always pass a Health Declaration Form to Occupational Health (this should be confidential in a separate envelope). In all the time I worked in OH I have never known a candidate to be refused a job simply because of a period of depression due to life events. They may well phone the candidate to check on their current status and may wish to see them if there are any major concerns. Nobody can request information from a GP without your consent.
I would be honest - "I experienced a period of six months and was prescribed antidepressants after the death of my ......, split from my partner, but have now recovered and no longer require any medication".