medical history and employment

chrisrob · Oct 25, 2004

hi,

firstly i'm sorry that you have been having problems, but dont not go an see the psychiatrist to keep it from your notes things may only get worse, people with mental health problems are protected under the DDA, somewhere in the back of my mind there is something about potential employers actually not being able to make an issue of it, but if you have lost a lot a time of work that could be another issue, i'm not in work until Wednesday so cant look it up for you till then but i'm sure if you do a search for the Disability Discrimination Act you'll find something in it to put your mind at ease.

catz · Oct 25, 2004

go see the psychiatrist. u will have to tell occy health when applying for a job, but u have at least a year b4 that hurdle. the main obstacle is wat ur symptons are adn wat if ny dx they give u. i was on antidepressants when i got my first job, and started seeing a councillor while i was working. occy health will work with u.

as for the unis, they have tough reglations for letting people on, thank dear bev allitt for that. the nhs also has the two year rule BUT it is not intended as a deffinite thing and depending on ur illness and treatment the majority of nhs occy health deparments will just keep an eye on u so to speak and wont prevent iu from accepting a job.

im sorry ur struggling btw. the only reason the uni would kick u off so to speak is if u are becoming unsafe/ failing placements etc etc. they are much mor elikely to suggest a break, a year out or watever if it becomes necessary and let u continue from were u were on the course as long as u are mostly mentally better.

have i confused u?

feel free to pm me ny questions or watever, ill answer if i can. but dont not get treatment in case it affects ur future prospects, untreated u will be a lot mor elikely to have to quit/not get a job than treated.

Farkinott, RN · Oct 26, 2004

I was just wondering if anybody had any information or advice, on the subject of occupational health and applying for a job.
I'll start by saying that i am second year student nurse, and i have been having some mental health problems for which i have been reffered to a psychiatrist. I know that my university states that it will not allow anyone onto the nursing course if they have been under a psychiatrist in the last 2 years. As i'm already on the course i'm assuming they can't now throw me off, unless i bacame a danger to patients.
But i was wondering how i would stand when applying for my first job after qualifying. Will i be unemployable, because of having recent psych history? if this is the case i think i may not see the psychiatrist to prevent it being on my medical records.
any help would be appreciated thankyou

Don't tell the university or any potential employers anything! You don't have to, so why cause yourself grief by introducing a "what if" by disclosing something you don't have to. Good Luck.

catz · Oct 26, 2004

Don't tell the university or any potential employers anything! You don't have to, so why cause yourself grief by introducing a "what if" by disclosing something you don't have to. Good Luck.

unfortunatley in the uk u do. if u dont and they find out u are liable .cant remember all the legal stuff bt it is an offense to not disclose a past illness.

Karen30 · Oct 28, 2004

Firstly, don't be tempted not to put your medical history on application forms, you will be found out and then have no chance of a job as people will consider you untrustworthy. Be honest. You can explain either on your application form or in person, if you get an interview why you are seeing a psychiatrist.

Some reassurance, I saw a psychiatrist a couple of years back, and then about a year later applied for a new job. I was honest and put my medical history on the application form, this didn't hinder my chances. I got an interview and was offered a job, the main thing is to sell yourself on your application form, make your prospective employer think you are the only person who is right for the job, if you do this then your previous medical history shouldn't be a major problem if one at all.

Good Luck.

Karen30 · Oct 28, 2004

Firstly, don't be tempted not to put your medical history on application forms, you will be found out and then have no chance of a job as people will consider you untrustworthy. Be honest. You can explain either on your application form or in person, if you get an interview why you are seeing a psychiatrist.

Some reassurance, I saw a psychiatrist a couple of years back, and then about a year later applied for a new job. I was honest and put my medical history on the application form, this didn't hinder my chances. I got an interview and was offered a job, the main thing is to sell yourself on your application form, make your prospective employer think you are the only person who is right for the job, if you do this then your previous medical history shouldn't be a major problem if one at all.

Good Luck.

Mike RGN · Oct 28, 2004

I was just wondering if anybody had any information or advice, on the subject of occupational health and applying for a job.
But i was wondering how i would stand when applying for my first job after qualifying. Will i be unemployable, because of having recent psych history? if this is the case i think i may not see the psychiatrist to prevent it being on my medical records.
any help would be appreciated thankyou

Be honest on your Ocupational Health Form, as Catz and Karen 30 said it may get you in more trouble if you don't. Propective employers dont normally get the details on the Occu Health form they just get either fit for post or need to see occu health doctor or unfit for post. The is nothing stopping you discussing it with the occupational health department first.

Most employers are that sort sighted to assume just because you have seen a psychiatrist your unfit to work, you could turn that around and say, you have recognised that I was unwell and sought appropiate help.

All the best in whatever you do.

Mike RGN · Oct 28, 2004

I was just wondering if anybody had any information or advice, on the subject of occupational health and applying for a job.
But i was wondering how i would stand when applying for my first job after qualifying. Will i be unemployable, because of having recent psych history? if this is the case i think i may not see the psychiatrist to prevent it being on my medical records.
any help would be appreciated thankyou

Be honest on your Ocupational Health Form, as Catz and Karen 30 said it may get you in more trouble if you don't. Propective employers dont normally get the details on the Occu Health form they just get either fit for post or need to see occu health doctor or unfit for post. The is nothing stopping you discussing it with the occupational health department first.

Most employers are that sort sighted to assume just because you have seen a psychiatrist your unfit to work, you could turn that around and say, you have recognised that I was unwell and sought appropiate help.

All the best in whatever you do.

expatnurse · Aug 6, 2005

I was just wondering if anybody had any information or advice, on the subject of occupational health and applying for a job.
I'll start by saying that i am second year student nurse, and i have been having some mental health problems for which i have been reffered to a psychiatrist. I know that my university states that it will not allow anyone onto the nursing course if they have been under a psychiatrist in the last 2 years. As i'm already on the course i'm assuming they can't now throw me off, unless i bacame a danger to patients.
But i was wondering how i would stand when applying for my first job after qualifying. Will i be unemployable, because of having recent psych history? if this is the case i think i may not see the psychiatrist to prevent it being on my medical records.
any help would be appreciated thankyou

As others have said you are covered in law. DDA 2004, and join a union. Good luck. In my experience as long as you have said when they ask on the occ. health form you are ok. Do go get help. It is against the law to treat you differently or not offer you the job if you are the best applicant. I suggest looking at the TUC book Guide to Equlity Law I found it very helpful. Know your rights. Also have you explained your concerns to your PTG leader. When I had issues mine was very helpful. Good luck. :balloons: