New job and depression

BJV

indsty wrote: »

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".

I had post natal depression and needed help. I have always been upfront about it, never hidden the fact and I have never not got a job because of it.

TrickyWicky

BJV wrote: »

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.

BJV,

Sorry I will not reply to you anymore - you're simply too "I want it all my own way because I'm an employer" for my liking.

It's the real world, the op NEEDS the job and you're trying to get them to put their neck on the line to suit your own personal idealisms (which as I pointed out before will be a bit false - I'll bet some of your own staff have lied to you).

You really need to get a grip. It's fine preaching from the protected and safe position but come down to our level and you'll soon change your mind when you need a job.

Get real,

Tricky

paulineb_2

My GP had to write a report for me about depression, it was actually work related stress but the symptoms were similar to depression, for a health report to get another job. I had been in a horrendous job, where I was assaulted, I had no support from my managers, I was working with BT police traces on my work phone line at one point and things got much worse after that job ended, my home number was given out to tenants (I managed an addiction project)

I was happy with my new employers knowing that I had suffered from depression, what I didnt want them to know was the circumstances under which it happened. I was on anti depressants for 6 months and moved onto another job and was about 2 years later that I got that job

There is a massive stigma Im sorry to say about work related stress/anxiety and depression and there shouldnt be as far as Im concerned. I felt that I had little option but to mention the depression as theres no way I would have asked my GP to lie for me, but I did also feel that the specifics of what happened to me was my business, what my GP said was, I was suffering from mild depression and I recovered after treatment.

The thing is, I was probably suffering from depression in other jobs due to similar issues, but struggled on and didnt see my GP, sometimes you are damned if you seek treatment because its on your records and can be used against you at a later stage even if youve recovered.

Work can make people ill and then it can become a barrier to them getting another job.

Im self employed these days and that suits me, as not only do I never want to go through what Ive been through again, but I also dont need to worry about any past medical history causing me problems. Ive only ever been on anti depressants twice, both for 6 months, even though I suffered from work related stress for a prolonged period.

I would say, I do think its better to be honest, because you could be sacked for lying whereas an employer might appreciate you telling them the truth, Ive always been honest with employers about anything to do with any medical treatment Ive needed.

And I would worry that if I lied or omitted something Id be found out and that would cause me more anxiety that I wouldnt need.

Yorkie1

TrickyWicky wrote: »

BJV,

Sorry I will not reply to you anymore - you're simply too "I want it all my own way because I'm an employer" for my liking.

And you're not "I want it all my own way because I had an awful experience therefore I'm going to project that onto everyone else in this thread"? No?

TrickyWicky

Yorkie1 wrote: »

And you're not "I want it all my own way because I had an awful experience therefore I'm going to project that onto everyone else in this thread"? No?

No.

Where have I said I want everything my own way? Get a grip.

BJV

TrickyWicky wrote: »

No.

Where have I said I want everything my own way? Get a grip.

Ok so where did I say I wanted it my own way.

The fab thing about a public forum is that we will all have different points of view.

I can acknowledge your point of view do not agree with it but it is yours and you are entitled to it.

I struggled for years to build my company.

Not knowing if I would be able to pay my mortgage, 7 days a week. 16 hours a day in some cases. I would feed the kids and say I was not hungry then scuff the left overs.

No holidays, no flash cars, juggling bills. OMg you have no idea. Lying awake at 4 in the morning hoping to god that you have not wasted your life savings, risked the house.

I self funded for nearly two years and it was hard. Really hard. But I never once lied or tried to misled anyone.

So please please do not try and tell me I need to get real! I know trying to get the kids uniform from the charity shop. I know trying to fight for the reduced at tescos. Not because its a bargain but because you do not have enough to buy anything else. I know real I have lived it.

Yes the Op needs a job and it is up to them what they want to do. But don't try and belittle my opinion just because it is different to yours.

Oh sorry nearly forgot my son is 10. I had two years post natal depression. During that time I was offered three jobs and given a promotion a big one.

Four years after I left to start my own business. Not once need I feel the need to mislead my employer who was a multi national German group about the fact.