Hi all I’ve been offered a new job which I would be starting on the 6th jan but haven’t told them about my condition, It wasn’t the right time in the interview.
I haven’t yet handed in my notice as I only have to give a month.
My new employer mentioned that they will be touching base over the next month to make sure things are ok. When should I tell them about my condition then or when I start as I am worried they might have second thoughts!
Tough one to answer
It depends on how bad your RD affects you. Are you, generally, okay, or do you have regular time off for hospital or other appointments? Will it impact your job? In your opinion, would they have offered you the position, if they had known? If positions were reversed, would you have expected to be told about something like this? How much responsibility will you have in the new job? Finally, only you can decide, but the longer you leave it, the harder it will be to let them know.
Employers are not allowed to ask about medical conditions at the interview stage. However, they are allowed to carry out a medical screening before forming an employment contract with you IF this is relevant to the job, and only if this is relevant to the job. For example if it requires you to drive or is very physical and your condition could make that difficult.
Do you know if these employers will do this? As if so you must ‘t lie. If you do lie that can be considered gross misconduct and you can be sacked. Also check that there isn’t any small print on your conditional job offer that says you should inform them of medical conditions.
However if the job isn’t something that the RA would affect then it’s up to you what you say as you are protected by the Equality Act. But do bear in mind that employers must make reasonable adjustments for disabilities, like giving you time off for medical appointments so overall it is good to tell them.
Mmmm tough one.... if you do even if things are going well now.... if you don’t and you get bad it may go against you... have you got a trial period? And if you are bad during this will it give them an excuse.., hospital appointments your employers will need to know... I didn’t tell my employers when I got my dream job loved it wanted to prove how good I was but pushed too hard and ended up with a mother of flares. I hadn’t told them and they were not happy I had to leave in the end as it was too much for me I felt guilty that I let these people down.. I should have been more up front . That’s me but may think differently.
Don't tell them before you start or any time during a probationary period - it will have a negative impact in their minds. Just use annual leave for medical appointments or say it is a dental appointment but try not to during the probationary period. Once established, you can just say you have a hospital appt. Don't volunteer the information as it is really none of their business. You would have to tell them if the job requires you to drive and you cannot because of the RA as this is a serious safety issue and you could be prosecuted for driving while not physically capable and could cause an accident. I can't drive because of RA as I get sudden cracks of pain out of the blue and I would let go of the wheel and sometimes I would not be able to grip the wheel.
If the job requires you to use your hands, eg at the keyboard, I would just give the job a go as you will probably manage on medication. You can get work station adjustments done later once you have established yourself. I don't think RA merits a mention to an employer - if you had fits or a serious allergy to products they used, it would.
Good luck with the job. I'm sure you will be fine. I started a full time job in August and I certainly did not tell them. I use the keyboard a lot. I am just not as nimble as I used to be and have medication in reserve in case of flare ups. I can't see any reason that I should be required to disclose it. If I did, I would probably lose the job.
Hi I've waited to reply to your question, I have a friend who works in H R. It may be seen that you have not come "clean" in your interview about your condition, and you can't fulfil your contract of employment, because you are having to take a lot of time off for hospital appts.
The advice is to write to your new employer to address your situation, maybe an agreement may be agreed for none payment of missing days, it's better to do it know than run the risk of being asked to leave because you are not fulfilling your contract.
Legally you have to declare as they have to do a risk assessment for to see if you need any reasonable adjustments to help you do the job,plus insurance purposes. I was told in a previous job I should have declared it after being offered job as they could have sacked me if they found out. You are covered by the Equality Act. You don't have to at interview but you need to now as most companies have health forms and a record of meds is required. If you had an accident and were unconscious they would need the info. Good luck with new job x
Thanks you for everyone’s replies just to let you know that I phoned up the lady director and told her about my RA and she was really thankful I told her and asked if I needed anything to let them know.
New to the site but not to RA - hormones question! 
Not RA but psoriatic arthritis 
Getting a job and declaring RA? :/
RA and job offer
Poor services at hospital and my RA is deteriorating badly
