quick query re employers medical survey

positivelymummy

got a letter on fri from my local council saying i've got a job intrview at the end of aug (this was for a post i applied for in April!) thought the job must have been taken by now, anyway, they have included a medical questionaire etc with criminal conviction/interview details etc, now the job is relief working in a kitchen (for an elderly care centre) just wondering why they ask if i've had depression in the last 5 years? i don't have a problem filling in medical questions etc, just wondered why asking about depression? i don't really feel comfy answering that one, i know its against the law to discriminate etc, but at the end of the day who knows if they do discriminate?

Conor_3

It's just a standard catch all form. It'll be the same form they send out with all applications.

TBH I think it's a fair question to be asking someone working with the vulnerable.

positivelymummy

Conor wrote: »

It's just a standard catch all form. It'll be the same form they send out with all applications.

TBH I think it's a fair question to be asking someone working with the vulnerable.

thanks, yeah i s'pose thats fair and all that, but it just makes me wonder what kind of questions will we get in the future! depression is still misunderstood by a lot of people and thats why i feel a bit 'iffy' about it i think! but hey ho! i got an interview:D needs must and all that!

Conor_3

LOL, I know what you mean about the intrusiveness of the forms nowadays. Quite why they basically feel the need to know how many times you go to the loo in a day is beyond me.

Good luck with the interview.

dmg24

Conor wrote: »

LOL, I know what you mean about the intrusiveness of the forms nowadays. Quite why they basically feel the need to know how many times you go to the loo in a day is beyond me.

Good luck with the interview.

You may have been joking, but I have actually been asked that before! It was an interview for the Fire Service Emergency Call Centre. Then, when I went into the toilets, there was a (colour!) guide on the back of the door about what your urine should look like.

I didn't take the job!

cw635

Hi, I just went through the same thing. I filled in a really in depth health questionnaire that I had to hand in at an interview and as I was signed off for three months with depression last year I was worried that would ruin my chances. I received a conditional job offer last week; the condition was clearance from the occupational health consultant so I worried even more!

But about an hour ago I had a phonecall from the occupational health department and basically they just wanted to know if I was still being treated (I'm not), if there was a reason for the depression (nope, just happened) and if I had any concerns about working irregular shifts (no). After those simple questions she cleared my application!

I agree that if they can't discriminate then why do they need to know? But It's worked out ok in the end so if you're worried about declaring any past depression then don't worry too much cos if having three months off last year didn't harm my chances then I'm sure you'll be fine! It wasn't brought up at the interview either so there was no awkwardness there.

Good luck at your interview!

dmg24

The reason that they need to know is so that they can fulfil their duty of care as an employer. If they do not ask, and then they put you in a position that could make your condition recur, then they have failed in their duty.

I think that there are employers that would use it to deny someone of an opportunity, but on the whole most are doing it with good intentions.

Also, be aware that if a pre existing condition is not declared, and then you become unwell again, the initial withholding of information could be classed as gross misconduct.