Hi,
Don’t know if anyone can help me, but thought I’d ask, I was diagnosed in 2005 and treatment finished at the end of that year, I only have annual checks now. Fairly soon I have an interview for a new job - with a new company who won’t know I had BC, I understand that my health cannot be discussed at the interview stage, but should I be successful I would need to complete a pre-employment health check where I will have to record recent health problems, so…can I expect this to be a problem? Where do I stand legally, can the job offer be withdrawn?
Oh yes, one more thing…if they don’t ask, where do I stand if I don’t tell?
thanks
Jan
You must complete health quaestionnaires honestly. If you don’t then a job offer could be withdrawn.
An employer would be acting illegally under the Disability Discrimination Act if they were to withdraw a job offer because you declared you had had cancer.
Most health questionnaires will contain a question relating to conditions such as cancer so the possibility of not telling probably won’t arise.
I did declare having had cancer on an application form even though I wasn’t asked. (only a casual one though.) Ironically, employers are often looking to meet their disability quaotas so in a strange way having cancer to declare could be an advantage!
good luck with the job application. Large companies whether in the private or public sectors are often more tuned in to these issues than small ones.
Jane
Thanks Jane, that’s put my mind at rest, I can concentrate on getting that job now
I had one for the job I just got…the infection control team in NHS…no chucking. I was honest on the application, and honest on the occupational health form they sent out…just declared the surgery that id had, the treatment id had and the dates it finished, included being on tamoxifen and checks to be carried out every few months by consultants etc. I then had my HR interview last week, and they never asked me a single thing about it. My treatment was an advantage, as I actually knew a fair amount of infection control measures…for some strange reason I cant think why. Must be one of those few occasions where it works in your favour lol. Be brutally honest about it…however…really make on the fact that youve come through the treatment with sheer determination, self-confidence, true grit and have what it takes to do anything you set your mind to…worked for me in my interview
Hi Buttons500
Wow…it never occurred to me to sell it that way, but you’re absolutely right of course - I just saw it as something that might put them off - i’ve sat in an unsatisfactory job for a year longer than i would have done ‘before’.
cheers hon
Jan
Thats the way I looked at it…shoot for the moon, cripes weve got this far, why the monkeys not use it to our advantage. Some jobs might look at it and think omg…eeek thats scary and not know how to take it if that makes sense. But if you sell yourself postively about it then youll be fine. Weve all had a lot go through our minds and a lot of changes in our outlooks on a lot of things that erm ‘normal’ people dont if that makes sense. The way I see it, is if you want something, go after it, all they can say is either yes or no…and theres no harm in trying…youll only kick yourself if you didnt. So just realise how special, confident and strong you are…with everything youve faced head on (not through choice, granted), but youve faced it, dealt with it…and ready to take on the universe.
Hi Jan 123,
I was in the same dilema you are in. In the end, I filled out the application and sent in a letter of support. I started the letter off by saying that I had taken time out of work to have treatment for BC, am now recovered from treatment and in remission. Then went on to discuss the attributes I had to fulfil the job requirements. In other words, I mentioned briefly, there was nothing more they could say (not that they would be allowed to). Was offered 2 jobs. Accepted one and pre-employment Occ. Health appointment and forms, no probs. Since starting work, BC has not been mentioned, I get time off for my annual check ups.
Now, I can’t believe I got so anxious about the whole process of applying for a job. If you can go through all the treatment for BC, you can survive the job interview…
Don’t forget, an interview works both ways, Best of Luck with your interview. Hope it meets your dreams.
Hi,
I start a new job in a few weeks and had no problems with the health check. Just be honest and everything will work out ok.
Good luck,
Kat x
thanks guys for all the support…my interview is a week tuesday, i’ll let you all know how i get on…
Jan
x
This post has been so helpful. Thank you everyone. I have had an application form for a job in front of me for a week and have dithered over the health side. It didn’t occur to me that I could sell myself positively having been through the bc experience.
Thank you so much everyone and good luck on the job hunt!!!
Debbie
xx
ah well…didn’t get the job nothing to do with BC though never got asked about my health - might have had a lot to do with my inability to remember anything!!! Still, it was good practice, onwards and upwards - more revision next time, clearly
Jan
xx