Getting a job while being treated for depression

Im currently diagnosed as depressed and receiving treatment for this.

I am just getting the courage to get a job and on EVERY application form I am asked if I am or have ever been treated for depression. Do I HAVE to tell them this? By this I mean if I say no they cannot check my medical records-can they?

Reply 1

beach surf babe

You don't have to tell them but then if it may affect your job then it saves the "why didn't you say when you applied?" thing if they do find out.

And no they can't check your records.

Reply 2

Thats good. If they did say that I would say 'because I was right for the job and the fact I have received treatment for an illness doesnt change that.''

Reply 3

beach surf babe

Exactly. If you can do the job perfectly well then it shouldn't matter. :smile:

Reply 4

nic_knock

What kind of job are you applying for? Ive been diagnosed with depression recently and am coming out on the good side now. I have never seen an application that asks you if you suffer from depression.

Reply 5

Mata

I've seen application forms which ask this. I would always put 'no' (even though I have had lots of therapy for depression) because it is absolutely none of their business, doesn't mean that a person can't do a job well, and might result in me not getting a job that I deserve.

If you feel that you can do the job and do it well then just put 'no'. Its none of their business.

Reply 6

Ferrus

The only issue is that they can request a medical report from your GP.

I am actually slightly worried because I went through a period of bad anxiety and my GP put down that it was a early sign of paranoid schizophrenia, though never went for further checks and so on.

Reply 7

Lil' Miss Smiley

Being truthful is a plus and a neg. If they know then obviously if you get the job they can be supportive of you. On a neg side they may feel that you are a risk in having sick days off.

Reply 8

JonnyB

I've never seen that on any job application form.

Reply 9

Can you request that any attempts to access a medical record are blocked by your GP? It infuraites me that this could happen, its none of their business. There are so many people who are depressed and DONT get help yet you are discriminated against if you are trying to do something about it? What the hell is wrong in this world today :mad:

Reply 10

rosetinted

I've not seen it on a work application form but don't you nearly always you have to sign and say all information is correct and truthful? If you have lied on the form then you can be instantly dismissed if they find out.

If it is an equal opportunities employer then surely they cannot hold this against you??

Reply 11

loser88

The-Lennon

there seems to be a lot of people of this forum diagnosed with depression! maybe the problem is that you spend too much time on the internet and not in the real world?

i hardly think that's helpful now- it is? Dear me.....

(sorry i've not got anything helpful to say- i've never had a job...but if you're not taking days off left, right and centre they surely can't discriminate?