Job application health questionnaire

[Tina63]

My son has just received an offer of employed by a DIY chain for a few hours weekend work. Of course there is a health questionnaire and the difficult question is:
There are a number of medical conditions that may, for some individuals, be made worse by working unsocial shifts. It is therefore the responsibility of (Company name) to ensure that you have the opportunity of an assessment of your health prior to commencing night working. Do you have, or have you ever had any of the health problems referred to below:
"Diabetes, particularly where treatment with insulin injections on a strict timetable is required?"
Now first off, he won't be working nights, and secondly, he is on MDI and therefore isn't tied to any set eating/injecting schedule. Does he say an emphatic NO, or does he say yes and attach a sheet to the back with a bit of an explanation of his type 1 diagnosis and no need to eat at set times? What would anyone advise please - it's the first time we have done anything like this.
Thanks, all help appreciated.
Tina

 

[Northerner]

I would say yes and explain that he is on a flexible insulin regime. Better to be honest about the diabetes, but no reason why it should reduce his ability to do the job, so that needs to be made clear 🙂 Good luck! 🙂

 

[Robster65]

Agree with Northerner.🙂

He can't say no or he'll need to be secretive about hypos, etc. Very bad idea.

I've always avoided night work because of change in patterns, etc but early/late shifts shouldn't be a problem. Just explain things as concisely as you can, in case they have out of date/incomplete ideas about type 1.

Emphasise flexibility. They like that word !

Rob

 

[Tina63]

Ok thanks both of you for that, just wanted guidance. He will only be doing approximately 4 hours a day, afternoon shifts, so really shouldn't pose any great challenge to him, but I felt it important they are aware of the type 1 despite the night bit not being relevant.
Thanks.
Tina

 

[Pumper_Sue]

Must def say he has diabetes, this will also make first aiders aware he has the condiotion if he needs help.
Besides if he says no and they find out it's classed as being dishonest and his job is gone.

 

[Tina63]

Yes thanks, I totally agree. I know he will be embarrassed people at work knowing, but of course someone, especially the first aider, will need to know in case of hypos. I don't know how easy it will be for him to carry his monitor on the shop floor, or dextrose tablets etc, but I think their work trousers have lots of pockets in! We are just scared they may decide not to employ him after all, though surely that would be descrimination if they rejected him now. There is mention of having to maybe be assessed by their 'in house medical team' which would really hack him off, but hopefully that won't be necessary. Fingers crossed anyway.
Thanks.

 

[Northerner]

It's quite possible that it may count in his favour, as a box tick for employing someone with a disability - although I hasten to point out that very few people with diabetes would view it as such, but technically it is. There's no need to be embarrassed about diabetes, people ought to appreciate that it is something that takes work and knowledge to manage well, and he should certainly be able to carry hypo treatments and a meter with him at all times - you wouldn't stop a person from wearing glasses or a hearing aid, or carrying an inhaler 🙂

 

[Caroline]

My son has just received an offer of employed by a DIY chain for a few hours weekend work. Of course there is a health questionnaire and the difficult question is:
There are a number of medical conditions that may, for some individuals, be made worse by working unsocial shifts. It is therefore the responsibility of (Company name) to ensure that you have the opportunity of an assessment of your health prior to commencing night working. Do you have, or have you ever had any of the health problems referred to below:
"Diabetes, particularly where treatment with insulin injections on a strict timetable is required?"
Now first off, he won't be working nights, and secondly, he is on MDI and therefore isn't tied to any set eating/injecting schedule. Does he say an emphatic NO, or does he say yes and attach a sheet to the back with a bit of an explanation of his type 1 diagnosis and no need to eat at set times? What would anyone advise please - it's the first time we have done anything like this.
Thanks, all help appreciated.
Tina

I would say yes and add an explanation. One of my friends failed to declare they were diabetic and it only came out when she had a hypo at work. She was given a formal warning for not declaring it. Luckily for her they needed her talents or she could eaily have been shown the door for not declaring it on the form.

 

[Jennywren]

I would be honest , and then further down the line they cant say that it wasnt on his application form , As Northerner points out about the disability tick , some firms are working positively towards people with disabilities and i know the council i work for promotes that as long as you meet the short listing criteria and you have ticked the disability box , you are guaranteed an interview 🙂

 

[Copepod]

Say yes to diabetes and insulin, no to strict timetable.

 

[imtrying]

Hi Tina,

I agree with the others.

The purpose of these forms is to ensure the HR team and other relevant parties are aware of any health issues, so reasonable adjustments can be made. The other side is also to ensure health conditions will not affect their ability to get the job done.

So definitely say yes, but say he has full flexibility with the MDI (they may need a little extra info on what that means!!) and also worth mentioning (if it is) that it is well controlled and has little/no impact on his ability to work/or hasn't done in the past.

Having only a box to tick to say if you have diabetes or not really doesn't give HR teams the info they need. Someone could tick and it not affect their work at all, and others could have real health problems/issues as a result. It's worth just stating which 🙂

Good luck!