New job: health declaration form

I've recently applied for a job and my application has been successful.
So now I have to fill in a lot of documents and one document caught my eye: the health declaration form.
On this form I'm being asked whether I've ever suffered from any of the following: "depression, anxiety, stress related illness or other mental health problems including self harm and eating disorders".

Yeah. I'm extremely uncomfortable they would ask me that sort of thing.
I suffer from depression and anxiety but considering the stigma mental illnesses carry, do you think I should put YES or NO in front of depression and anxiety?

It's quite an important job in a big company, I don't want to 1) make a bad impression right away and 2) mention on a form what I consider to be private information about my health.

What do you guys think?

Thanks in advance.

What are European/EU/your country's laws about discrimination in the workplace? I.e., how could being honest either hurt or help you?

I don't remember being asked that in a human resources form here in the US. They seem more interested in criminal history. And once I had to take an oath that I'd never been a Communist.

Oh, congratulations on the job too.

I think you would need to check if it was voluntary or required.

I can see why physically they would need to know- for reasonable adjustments and insurance purposes

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

This couldn't be asked in the U.S. unless the job is specifically defined prior to employment as requiring or excluding certain health criteria (for instance, if a job required a person to be able to lift 50 lbs unassisted, they could ask about health IF that criteria was disclosed upon application AND the health questions directly related to that criteria). I have no idea was your country's laws are about health questions though.

I don't really know the laws regarding discrimination. It's a job in the UK.
I've never been asked that sort of things in my previous jobs. The question really came as a surprise. I feel very uneasy about the whole thing.
Thanks!

Well, yeah that's what it's said on the form: that it's there to contribute towards employee's physical and mental adjustment to their jobs, improves and maintains their physical and mental well being.
They also add that it's in my best interests that this declaration form should be completely accurate.

I'm just very distrustful of any company that claims to care about their employee's physicial and mental health. I don't feel like I owe them that much info about my life.

Yes the whole thing is very strange. Maybe people from the UK (the job is in the UK) will be able to chime in and give more info about that kind of practice.

This one is so funny to me. It was on a form once when we visited America on holiday. I looked over my Dad's shoulder because he's a total commie, but he ticked "no"

I'm in the UK and there are strong anti-discrimination and confidentiality laws here so I wouldn't worry too much, if they've offered you the job they can't take it back if you say you have had anxiety or depression.
ETA according to Mind, the Equality Act protects you against discrimination when applying for a job http://www.mind.org.uk/information-s.../#.Vo_eYstFDqA

Thanks, that's reassuring
Still, I'm uneasy about disclosing my mental health issues.

I was hired to be a flight attendant for American Airlines and lost the job just before I was sent to the training centre for my hispry of depression. I understand that they fon't want anyone with depression in the air, but on the other hand, it's the untreated ones they should worry about.

To be honest, I would lie.

I believe these questions or similar questions can be asked post hire in USA as long as they justify it for medical purposes, and are asked of all potential hires. And, the final result can be them backtracking on the offer if it was contingent on the exam. They have many ways of quietly discriminating against those that honestly acknowledge a mental health history of any sort. A biggy is for them to request an outside doctor to certify you as fit for he job.

You might want to get clarity from an agency or lawyer before you make a decision.

It's a holdover from the McCarthy years. Academic institutions adopted the oath about not being a communist at the time, and some still require it of employees.

Just because they can't legally withdraw the offer or fire you based on the form doesn't mean they won't, and it doesn't mean it won't be a problem if they keep you. I would decline to fill out the form. Just leave it blank, sign it, and turn it in.

I've dealt with various forms of discrimination as someone with epilepsy. Disclosure is an individual choice, but in my experience the best thing is to not say anything. I do tell people, but not when starting a job. Some people are ok with it, others can't handle it.

If no one at the company will ever see the form and they send it to the NHS or insurance, it's probably ok.

Wow, I'm really surprised they would ask that. I'd be pretty offended if I had to answer that for a job. I'm in the U.S. so I don't know how stuff works in the U.K but I think it's weird that you would have to answer that. I have had a job application that asked me about medication, but not about mental health issues.

It's weird, right? Almost inappropriate.

I'm in the education section of the UK and this is standard. We don't get asked it until after the job offer and the job offer will say if it is dependent on this or not. They are not allowed to discriminate. I know that then it is the employers job to make any necessary adjustments or risk assessment. Hope this is helpful

I have never confronted this issue on a post-job paperwork thing. In less important contexts, I have chosen to not answer the questions and state that I consider this information private. You can leave it blank and see if anyone follows up with you, or you can indicate on the form that you choose not to answer.

I personally would not lie to my employer in any context, as it is too easy for lies to come back to bite you in the [anatomy].

I honestly wouldn't fill it in as yes. None of their business.

Seems odd, but nope, I would never disclose my mental health issues.

I believe they are asking the question for one of two reasons.

1. To withdraw the job. Doesn't matter if it is illegal or not, they can do it for another reason. In this case, the question I think they are asking is: Can you actually do the job? If you can I would say 'no' of I wanted the job and was convinced I could do it despite my mental health history.

2. To actually help accommodate you. In the case the question should read: Do you need special accommodation? If you do, is it worth the special accommodation to reveal this about yourself. If not, say 'no'.

I think people worry too much about getting caught in a lie in cases such as this. Fact is, they are not going to ever get access to your mental health records and if they are going to rescind the job offer in the event of mental illness - then you lose nothing if they do find out. You weren't going to get it anyway.

Thanks for the info, very helpful.
I'm still suprised to learn that this is standard.
It's pretty invasive imo.

Exactly. None of their business.

I'm inclined to believe this is because of reason 1)
I'm very skeptical any company would willingly wish to accomodate an employee.
You know what, I've made my mind, I'm gonna lie. Not leave a blank, lie.
I want that job.

Myrto, is there a record on file of you ever being hospitalized for mental illness? If yes check yes. If no, check no on your form. And that is the end of it. Cut and dry. When the employers of this world are honest and treat people fairly then i will do the same. We live in a crooked world. Do not say you are depressed or ever was if you got out patient treatment. That is protected and is none of their business. That is the answer i would give. Blessings and the best on your new job. tc