Job offer withdrawn due to illness

AJ20172017

Good afternoon guys, hope you're all well!

I just wanted to seek some guidance on the situation I am currently in.

I applied for a position within the NHS, attended the interview, passed the interview & assessment, waited for a response, was contacted & offered the job which I was ecstatic about & then that's when things went a bit sour.

I was then contacted by one of the Manager's colleagues who asked me why I had time off sick in my previous role, what medication I was on, what's my health like, how long I have been on my current medication etc. This is what I thought should have been referred to occupational health for however I answered & he then informed me he would pass the information onto the manager for his decision.

I then have had to wait since last Wednesday until today when the manager returned from annual leave with sleepless nights not knowing what would come from this where I was contacted and told "Due to your illness we will be withdrawing the job offer as you're too much of a risk to employ".

I then explained that the sickness period was a year and a half ago & was also at the same time I had personal issues which affected my illness but I have since overcome all of this & I am in good health and overall well being. I also explained I had turned down another job offer due to being offered this job & would have no issues with my references, the manager laughed and told me to "Contact the other job & to ask for the job back as I was messing you about" to which I explained that's highly unprofessional & got no response back from him apart from "well thanks anyway".

They have since sent me a letter from recruitment informing me of the job offer withdrawal.

Thanks guys!

Ozzuk

It sounds like they've handled this really badly, and I wouldn't be surprised if they've broken/bent some rules asking you those questions. Ultimately though, what do you expect to happen? I can't see any way they are going to suddenly change their minds. It's not worth in my opinion taking any action, I'd just move on. Horrible situation though.

IAmWales

Have they stated their reasons for withdrawal in writing?

Is this a long term condition that might be classed as a disability, or was it a one off?

Was it a mental health condition and how long were you off for? I wonder who they think you are a risk to!

The Trust should have a recruitment complaints procedure. Depending on the fuller facts of the case, I would recommend complaining.

ScorpiondeRooftrouser

IAmWales wrote: »

I wonder who they think you are a risk to!

I imagine the risk is simply that of him being off for long periods and leaving them understaffed, rather than them feeling he poses a risk to anybody's safety.

IAmWales

ScorpiondeRooftrouser wrote: »

I imagine the risk is simply that of him being off for long periods and leaving them understaffed, rather than them feeling he poses a risk to anybody's safety.

Indeed, but on the (limited) information given, that risk is unfounded.

ohreally

They will view past absences as an indicator of what lies ahead.

FBaby

was contacted & offered the job which I was ecstatic about & then that's when things went a bit sour.

Did you get a letter and if so, did it stipulate that it was conditional and subject to OH assessment and references or something similar? It sounds like they were made aware of the sickness via one of your references? If so, they might have questioned why you didn't mention it yourself at interview.

The issue is that NHS Trusts now have quotas on using agency staff, and this is closely monitored. Trusts are therefore becoming more scrupulous at employing staff unlikely to go off long term sick which would then require them to pay for agency staff or even request approval to do so.

Saying that, it does sound like the whole process was managed very badly and with little compassion.

Guest101

You said within the NHS, what area?

Masomnia

If there is a complaints process I think you should follow it.

Unless you'd be considered disabled then there's nowt you can do unfortunately, and you've said that you are in good health. Even if you were considered disabled would you really want the stress of challenging this legally, especially when you might not win?

I think you've dodged a bullet by not working for this person so be glad of that. Maybe make a grovelling phone call to the job who turned you down?

TheGardener

Public sector - it is normal to be offered a job 'subject to satisfactory references and occupational health assessment'. However, the OH assessment would normally only be sought if there was something on your application or references that suggested one was necessary such as you have been off ill for more than x days (different organisations have different number that can 'trigger' an OH assessment) The OH assessment is a telephone interview and/or a form you complete. Quite often this is administered by a 3rd party contracted to do the job.
It seems that this 'subject to' caveat may not have been clearly communicated to you at the point you were offered the post?

The separate issue is a pillock who had a conversation with you about the withdrawal of the offer. This part is usually carried out by HR rather than the person who appointed you.