Health declarations

[playgroup1]

Does anybody know what is the latest requirement for health declarations when employing new member of staff? Thanks

[woodlands1997]

We are in process of re registering and only us as partners have to do them, we are also manager and nominated person so not sure if you were getting a different manager in whether they would need one? We get staff to complete a health questionnaire x

[Guest Nuby]

hey woodlands how is setting up going? sorry to hijack your post playgroup!

[woodlands1997]

We are already registered nuby but became partners not realising we would have to fully re register!! To be honest so far it has been a bit of a nightmare and rather costly!x

[Nimatel]

Hi Playgroup1, we use the PSLA template to ask new employees for their permission to send a letter about their health to their GP. This is because we had an issue a few years ago where a member of staff tried to blame her back problem on an injury with us. Therefore now we get everyone checked out before they start with us as we are a pack away setting so it has implications if they have health conditions that they do not disclose.

 

Nimatel

[flowlow]

We are looking at this as well at the moment. We do a health questionnaire but to be honest it isn't the best one in the world I would be interested woodlands in what your one looks like. However we are a pack away setting so in an ideal world it would be good to have one from the doctors BUT it costs the Earth here I mean over £100. We can't afford it and neither can new employee's.

It's a tough one. Although again can anyone tell me if TA's and Teachers have to do them? If not then why do we?? I have never heard of any of may friends (some are teachers some a TA's) doing them

[woodlands1997]

Ours is from a consultancy we pay so I can't put it up but I will write up what it asks on here for you tomorrow johanna x

[playgroup1]

Thanks everyone. I just want something that a new employee completes and signs that stays in their file. Some people have said that they ask about alcohol and drug use, can you do that?

My daughter started work last year as a Learning Support Assistant in a high school but was not asked to do anything like this.

[blondie]

hi,

i didn't think you were allowed to do health checks any more on employees? not sure where i read it though x

[woodlands1997]

If ofsted can I don't see why we couldn't, the cost puts me off though so the questionnaire is the next best thing! Ours just ask how many units they drink a week nothing about drugs!

[Rea]

If ofsted can I don't see why we couldn't, the cost puts me off though so the questionnaire is the next best thing! Ours just ask how many units they drink a week nothing about drugs!

I still don't know what a unit is and besides, my drinking is on a Saturday so don't see how its the business of work. I would probably refuse to answer, if your new employee refused, would you change your mind about taking them on?

[flowlow]

I still don't know what a unit is and besides, my drinking is on a Saturday so don't see how its the business of work. I would probably refuse to answer, if your new employee refused, would you change your mind about taking them on?

actually I had the same thought about height and weight, for a start wouldn't know what mine is I genuinely never stand on a pair of scales and the giraffe height chart at work doesn't go up far enough for me lol but I think its a cheek. Next they will want to know your bra size in case that stops you interacting properly!!! sorry couldn't see the children 'coz my boobs too big!!!

[woodlands1997]

Ours asks if they've ever had certain things, it's quite a list but things such as-

Tb

Asthma

Bronchitis

Depression

Back trouble

Diabetes

Vision/ hearing problems

Physical / mental impairment

They say yes no and if yes have to add details.

 

Then do you smoke?

how many units of alcohol do you drink per week? (1 unit = half pint beer, 1 glass wine, 1 single whiskey)

 

We have never had anyone refuse to put how much they drink but to be honest if they refused I think I would think it was funny and they had something to hide. You have to put this on the ofsted declaration and the doctor has to sign in agreeance so you must be allowed to ask. The form does say if we have any concerns about your fitness to work based on any answer then employment will be subject to satisfactory medical reports. I wouldn't reuse employment but I might be more inclined to get a doctors medical done!

 

Ours has no mention of heights or weight and not does the ofsted one x

[finleysmaid]

you can do a health declaration but only for certain things...

When can an employer ask questions about health or disability?

An employer can ask questions about health or disability when:

• they are trying to find out if you need reasonable adjustments for the recruitment process, such as for an assessment or an interview
• they are trying find out if you (whether you are a disabled person or not) can take part in an assessment as part of the recruitment process, including questions about reasonable adjustments for this purpose
• they are asking the questions for monitoring purposes
• they want to make sure that any applicant who is disabled can benefit from any measures aimed at improving disabled people’s employment rates, such as theguaranteed interview scheme
• where the questions relate to a requirement to vet applicants for the purposes of national security
• where the question relates to a person’s ability to carry out a function that is absolutely fundamental to that job

[lashes2508]

We ask all staff including myself to. Complete health declaration form , main reason is to know about existing conditions and medication in the event of an accident or being taken ill at work so we would be able to pass on details to emergency medical staff if needed.

[playgroup1]

Thanks everybody. This forum is invaluable for getting advice when you're stuck on something.

[MarshaD]

I'm a NDNA member and their recruitment book states you can ask staff to fill in a questionnaire (they provide a template) as long as its after interview (unless you may need to make reasonable adjustments as mentioned above). It asks about medication, illnesses such as asthma, diabetes etc and surgeries - that sort of thing. It doesn't ask about smoking or drinking.

 

M

[Guest]

As a teacher within a LA I had to complete a health questionnaire after being offered the position. As I have had multiple health issues in the past that led to a call form Occupational Health at the LA and a telephone interview. It could have been a face ti face assessment though had it been a more complex case. In my current role I also had to do a health declaration. I'm not sure about other LAs but in ours TAs also complete one, although everyone only does one once at the start of working within the LA as they are the official employer, not the school.

[pickles37]

Could an employee refuse? Then what could you do about it?

[Guest]

I thought you weren't allowed to ask for a Health questionnaire before offering the position. We do ask for one, but only once the person has been offered the job and it's more for the purpose of things we need to be aware of so that we can accommodate where possible.