I've just been rejected by a job by indicating I've had depression

[Confused2]

I thought I was being honest by saying I'd had depression.

It was a medical assessment as the last step before taking the job. I'd already been offered the job (over the phone); my referees had given me a 'glowing report'.

Then, out of the blue, the day after the medical assessment they called to say the job had changed and I wouldn't meet their new criteria.

(The medial assessment came after two successful interviews, a psychometric test and referee check).

So I've done some research this morning and apparently it's a bad idea to mention this upfront to a potential employer - because despite all the pretence about diversity, it's ultimately about the business bottom line and you're therefore potentially a liability. (Even if the depression was in the past).

In two minds a out whether to confront the HR rep from the company about this but have no idea if it's worth it.

[geoff]

hello Confused, and I'm sorry that you have been treated with such disparity especially after all your references had been great, it's most upsetting for you when you thought you may have the job.
This is where discrimination comes into it, but that you won't be able to prove as they haven't actually employed you, never the less it's very distressing as you had ticked all the boxes.
It's always debatable whether or not to mention if you have had MI, but for me, it's certainly not what I would suggest, for the simple reason of what has happened to you, as you say their most important factor here is the bottom dollar, in other words, they don't want to have to look after you if something awful happens.
I am terribly sorry but talking with an HP rep won't do much, and even if it did then you will be given a difficult time, so keep all your papers and go for another job, keeping what you know to yourself, because at that time you were feeling great, in other words 'mum's the word' Geoff.

[Jessicatherese94]

Hi Confused, sorry to hear about that. Discrimination unfortunately happens a lot in the work place for various reasons. I think you probably wouldn't want to be at such an unaccepting work place anyway, and that there's plenty of other options for you. I don't really think you have anything to lose by asking the HR rep about it if that's what you need to gain some closure. All of this is completely up to you. Just know that it's not your fault and you'll get through this.

[EdenF]

contact the HR and tell them if this isn't addressed and you don't get an answer about it, then it will be escalated to a Workplace Ombudsman.

[Confused2]

Hi thanks Geoff, I kind of questioned whether to be honest when I filled out the questionnaire. I should have listened to my gut. When I was in the medical I explained it was post-natal depression, nothing to do with now. But obviously it went through with just my 'tick' of yes had depression. Spoke to the HR rep after I'd posted this, she said all kinds of conciliatory stuff like I'd been given the green tick by JobFit, that she'd had post-natal depression blah blah blah. So moving on. It's just that landing this job had been a lot of hard work and I thought finally I could relax. But have to think that it's them, not me. So disappointing that - after all that positive evidence through interviews, psych test and referees - they didn't have enough sense of my 'fit' for the job.

[Confused2]

Thanks really appreciate your response. Onwards and upwards, as they say (:

[geoff]

hi Confused, thanks nice to hear back from you, all of this just proves how powerful and damaging mental illness is to everyone who has it.

Please keep in contact with us. Geoff.

[MsPurple]

Sorry to hear about the job falling through. In the long term (although hard to see know) it is probably good you are not working for a company who feel this way

I don't disclose the fact I have anxiety until I am secured in the job and past the probational period. I have had a medical for a job in the past too and I didn't disclose there either. They can only get info from your current gp if you allow it (which I didn't, I said I didn't have a gp as I didn't have any medical conditions).

It is heartbreaking that some people can't see past the depression, even if it is past tense. Between 1-4/5 will experience some form of mental illness in their life so it is silly to still have this mentality.