Work Health Questionaire

packages1

Newbie
Messages
3
Hi There,

I am new to the forum, so be gentle!!

I have had T2 since 2005, which is controlled via diet and Glicazide 80g tablets, (1.5 tablet in morning and same again after evening meal) but the subject of my diabetes has never come up before so have never said anything at work before, all my appointments to my medical nurse and hospital for eye tests have been done in my own time. I have been with my employer for 6yrs and love the job to bits and have never has any issue's at work with my diabetes, but now the health questionaire has been sent to all staff, which asks about the diabetes as a yes or no reply, and then if yes and what medication I take. I was wondering if I have to declare that I have diabetes, as It has never had a bearing on my work.

The other thing i that I do not want to be treated any differently to anybody else and I have no problem in making appointments and attending them before or after work.

Any help would be appreciaated

Kind regards

Packages1
 

cugila

Master
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10,272
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People who are touchy.......feign indignation at the slightest thing. Hypocrites, bullies and cowards.
If you fail to fill in the Health Questionnaire truthfully you run the risk of possibly losing your job ?

Which is worse.....them knowing you are a Diabetic or losing your job ? You have worked for them for some time as a Diabetic so it's not likely they are going to sack you, more likely it is in response to the newish legislation and they want to do things correctly.

You would be covered by the recently created Disability Discrimination & Equality Act 2010.

If you were discriminated against because of your condition then straight away get proper advice from the CAB in the first instance who can put you in touch with Employment and Discrimination Law Specialists.

Don't worry.......be honest. Why hide it ?
 

krs1958

Active Member
Messages
37
I'm a manager and I do most of the interviews with applicants. You can no longer have health questions on application forms but I don't know about heath questionnaires.

My company HR department and my line manager know of my health issues and I do get understanding and support.

I had a negative response from a senior manager. His knowledge of diabetes came from the fact a friend of his has it and I was told you will get worse. Also with my life style he was not surprised I had the condition in addition to the heart problem. He does not know of my medical history and I did make it known to the HR manager I was offended by his reaction.

We employ a fair number of people with type 2 and none of them have any problems with doing their jobs. Being a type 2 myself has given me empathy with any issues and the need for any time of for appointments.
 

cugila

Master
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People who are touchy.......feign indignation at the slightest thing. Hypocrites, bullies and cowards.
From what I have found out so far this is the position, however I am no expert although I do hold a CPC in Road Transport Operations which qualifies me to work as a Transport Manager. I would suggest if you need to know exactly what happens consult an Emploment and Discrimination Law Professional.

How I read it is that PRE-Emploment questionaires are not allowed now, however it does not appear clear about IN-Emploment questionaires ?

The Employer has a duty of care to the Employee therefore it would possibly be reasonable for them to know of any medical conditions of current Employees to meet their obligations under the new DD&E Act 2010.

See here:
Ban on generic pre-employment health questionnaires
Date: 1st June 2010

There is one element of the Equality Act which is of significant practical importance for HR professionals. It was only introduced into the Equality Bill at a late stage, but the financial implications of overlooking it are severe.

From October 2010, HR departments will have their work cut out, as their policies on, and the content of their pre-employment health questionnaires will need to be revised drastically.

Employers will no longer be able to adopt a "one size fits all" approach, sending out standard health questionnaires containing questions about general health and medication issues with every application form. Employers will only be allowed to ask specific tailored questions which go to the root of whether the applicant is able to fulfil a particular job role.

Source: http://www.kingsleynapley.co.uk/news/ne ... tionnaires

Under the old DDA 1995 which is incorporated into the new Act this is the 4 reasons quoted about Disability Discrimination in the workplace.
• Direct disability discrimination (which can be objectively justified);
• Disability related discrimination (i.e. less favourable treatment of a disabled person for a reason related to their disability);
Failure to make a reasonable adjustment to premises or working conditions for a disabled person; and
• Victimisation.

The particular section highlighted is the catch all if the Employer does not evaluate the workplace environment and does not know how many people and who they are who could be affected.

Please do NOT take this as a definitive answer, it is just my understanding of the Law.
 

packages1

Newbie
Messages
3
Hi There,

Thank you for all the responses, which have been most useful. I feel a lot more comfortble now with regards to the questionaire, and want to be honest with my employer. I had been given differing advice regarding informing my employer about my Diabetes in the past, which was mainly that It was not necessary that I had to advise my employer via NHS personnel, along with how to control my diabetes and eating requirements.

I have learn't so much more by just reading the forum questions and answers to also change to a better eating pattern. Once again many thanks.

Kind regards

Packages1
 

rainey2910

Active Member
Messages
32
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Work!
Hi, just remember, if you have an accident at work your company will need to inform the emergency services of any known medical conditions - that could potentially put you at risk if you don't disclose, it may also help them to understand how to help if you have a hypo at work.

I spoke to the HR department at the company I work for, and they advised that I was under no legal obligation to give them this information, however, for peace of mind in ensuring that if anything does happen to me, I have given them the full picture.
 

Dippy3103

Well-Known Member
Messages
325
I told my employer, because I drive as part of my duties and also I have had taken flexi time to attend the odd appointment. As it neither affects my ability to do my job or causes me to take paid off they were pretty unfazed by it.
 

Squadron Leader

Active Member
Messages
29
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Insulin
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Religion
Donald Trump
Be thankful they're only asking about diabetes. About 15 years ago I was given a pre-employment health questionnaire by a catering company after applying for a job as a food service assistant.

After asking if I had any heart problems etc., I was asked if I had any sexually transmitted diseases! My response was to ask why? Was I expected to shag the client or the boss?! Needless to say, I wasn't offered a job...

Klair