New Job, stressed regarding previous health

[keyboardwarrior]

Hi all, just looking for some information to put my mind at ease as no amount of googling can give me the answer I need.

I had a Stent put in December 2012 and another December 2022, I was made redundant December 2023 and I have just secured further employment. My concern is surrounding the health questionnaire, it is asking if i have previously had angina or take medication for blood pressure. Obviously i have had angina but following the stent i have no symptoms, feel perfectly healthy and daily take Aspirin, statins and blood pressure pills.

The new job is for a duel fuel smart meter engineer, nothing physically demanding. My question is, why do they ask this question and if my employment up and coming could be scrapped due to previous health issues and current medication. I have no ongoing symptoms or issues and i am 100% capable of anything physical or mentally.

Thanks in advance.

[Happyrosie]

I do think that you must tell the truth on any application form, because you dont know what the future holds,

Saying that, I think it’s a very odd question and wonder of there are any HR bods out there who can help?

[MummaSoap]

I work in HR but not Occupational Health, which is what you would possibly need to understand for certainty.

However, it may be that you could ask your GP to write a letter which confirms that you are free from angina symptoms and confirms your fitness for work/this role. This is different to a fit note and is usually chargeable and I believe can range from £10-£45.

It’s likely that the questionnaire is linked to H&S or an insurance policy would be my guess as I cannot confirm definitively for your prospective employer.

My advice would be to complete the questionnaire as truthfully as possible because if found to be inaccurate it could be seen as a breach of contract and then you would be without employment anyway and the additional sting of a “bad reference”.

It may be that there won’t be any impact and it’ll just allow the company to have an awareness and then take necessary precautions or protective measures should you become symptomatic again in the future.

Wishing you all the best with your new employment, let us know how you get on (if you want to).

I hope that you find this useful 🤞🏼

Best wishes

Soap 🧼

[mits123]

If it is a large or national company then it is possible it is a generic health questionnaire form

Best advice I can give would to be honest on it and then you can elaborate at interview face to face stage or add an amendment note on the form

Good luck sure you will be fine 🙂

[sandandkev]

Can you just put on the form "previous angina- now sorted,or something like that