New role health questionnaire

Be Honest

by Gemita - 2024-02-17 17:38:09

Kushanku,

You won’t lose the role with a stable heart condition, but you might lose the role if you were later found to have been dishonest about your condition.  Also you could ask your cardiologist to provide confirmation of your heart condition, explaining that it is currently stable and that you are fit to work in this capacity.

Good luck,

They shouldn't be asking

by LondonAndy - 2024-02-17 17:52:06

From what you have said about the role, the fact you are paced does not appear to be relevant to performing it. However, you are now in an awkward position: they HAVE asked, and you need to decide how to handle it.

I therefore agree with Gemita, in that being honest about it is the best policy, though when doing so you could ask them why they are asking this, as it appear to be in breach of the Equality Act 2010:

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5a79b5d440f0b642860da26f/employment-health-questions.pdf 

Wow

by Tracey_E - 2024-02-17 21:33:19

In the US it's illegal to ask unless it directly affects the job. I'd say be honest, glossing over the truth will usually bite us in the butt later. 

Importantly perhaps

by Gemita - 2024-02-18 02:35:09

Kushanku, Despite your concerns it may be beneficial for your employer or a colleague to know about your condition and defibrillator in case of an emergency so that they can react appropriately.  Your life could depend on it. 

Occ health questionnaire?

by akaDM - 2024-02-18 09:55:56

It wasn't uncommon for sealed occ health questionnaires to be completed and collected during recruitment. To be passed to occ health once job has been offered and accepted, to be destroyed otherwise. Offers typically dependent on occ health clearance. A protection for disabled candidates.

Large organisations will usually have HR involved in recruitment and they could be approached about the questions. Smaller organisations may not have a process.

But it's always a risk to lie. Usually a potential for instant dismissal if the truth emerges.

Dilemma

by Good Dog - 2024-02-18 10:34:59

I just want to express to you that I understand your concern. I live in the U.S. so I do not know how things may differ in the U.K. I have had my PM for a very long time and have been confronted with a similar situation on more than one occasion. I always had the same concerns. Fortunately, I found that my PM and heart problem has never been an obstacle. I think primarily, because it is not really a disability that would impact my ability to do any of the jobs that I applied for. We have laws here in the U.S. that prevent employers from discriminating against anyone with a disability as long as they are not putting anyone's life in danger as a result of it. You would not be in the position you describe. I have to think that the U.K. has similar laws. So I think that you need to relax and if it is meant to be, then it will happen for you! If you are the best person for the job; then you should and will get it!

I absolutely agree with all the others that say; honesty is always the best policy! 

Hang in there and please put up a new post to let us know when you get the job.

I wish you the very best!

Sincerely,

Dave

Ask them why

by crustyg - 2024-02-19 06:30:05

Sadly our mostly useless elected representatives have never felt the need to pass legislation similar to the USA's HIPPA.  And this questionnaire is a direct consequence of that, IMHO.  In fact (and I've suffered from this, despite a valid opt-out) they seem determined to sell our health data - for a tiny fraction of what it's truly worth.

OK, my rant over.  Just ask them why.  It *may* be that they have a really good private health insurance deal which may benefit you - but in the USA they wouldn't be allowed to ask these questions as Tracy_E points out. One of the 'P's in HIPPA is Portability and prevents health providers from declining to provide cover for new employees who might be more expensive than others.

Not all insurers are toads though - I've personally benefitted twice from compassionate UK-based orgs.  It's not all bad.  And I'm like you - I opt out of all data sharing, at every opportunity I get.  Why?  Lack of trust....

What others have said

by Andiek11 - 2024-02-22 17:51:40

In the states it is illegal to ask for health information unless it is directly related to the role you're applying for (ADA).  ADA applies to any employer of more than 15 (?) employees  If your job requires you to be able to life 25lbs, then they can ask if you can lift 25 lbs.  If your job requires you to sit at a desk and type, they can't ask you if you can lift 25lbs. (You get the idea)   Of course it is always dicey when you're applying for a job you really want.  You might just reply that you'll be happy to share all relavant health information after a formal job offer has been made (and accepted).