Personal health questions at interview stage

[fraggle08]

I know it is common when one starts a new job to complete a health questionnaire, but I have never (until now) been asked to complete one at interview stage.
I do not feel comfortable about giving away very personal information to a company that I do not work for or have any connection to (at this stage). I do not feel they have any right to ask about historical GP visits / operations / medication when I may not even work there!
I am worried any info I give them could be used in a discrimatory way (even subconsciously) and may affect my chances to get the job.
Am I entitled to refuse to provide this or do they have a legal right to expect me to divulge such information??
If there's any HR boffins out there who may be able to help I'd be very grateful. thanks!

[4getmenot]

if you are worried it may affect your chances then maybe you shouldnt be going for that job. At my old place applications asked if any health issues and also if you had asthma because of the chemicals used.

[China Doll]

I completed and handed in my occupational health form at the interview. If you don't get the job then it doesn't get used and if you do they need it in order to ensure you're fit to work. It's only Occupational Health that read it as you give it in an envelope.

[another-view]

If you refuse to provide this, I wouldn't hold on to much hope of getting the job. If you fear your health will affect your chances then so will your would be employer.

[fraggle08]

Thanks for the tips guys, but I still don't know whether they actually have a right to ask for it in the first place?
If anyone knows a definitive answer I would be grateful...
Of course I understand if I don't provide it they probably won't progress me but then I'm not sure I would want to work for a company that recruits people based more on using their personal private information rather than their skills and achievements.

My POV is in the spirit of equal opps, not to mention medical confidentiality, I would have thought each candidate should be considered upon his or her merits not whether or not they had an operation 3 years ago or visited their GP last month. Surely it is irrelevant in the same way that a potential employer is not allowed to ask your age or whether you are planning to have a family in the near future.

[mollykins]

I would have thought that they'd only want to know about anything that could affect your work. What diference does it make if you had your apendix out a few years ago?

[mollykins]

etc

[fraggle08]

Well I have been digging around the web and have answered my own question.
In case anyone else in curious, there is currently nothing in UK law to prevent employers asking candidates anything they want to relating to health issues (and event contacting candidates GPs etc if they deem necessary)
According to the Equality Bill 2nd Reading briefing document, put together by MIND, THT, RCPsych, & NAT, the use of pre-employment health questionnaires means many people are discriminated against despite quite possibly being the best candidate. They are recommending that pre-employement health questionnaires be banned.

[hc4361]

I can certainly see the point of pre-interview medical questions in light of some companies generous sick pay packages; some employees willingness to sue for health problems that may have arisen from work and the problems aabsenteeism causes for the employer.
I would want to know how many periods of sick leave a potential employee has had over the previous three years; ongoing medical problems they may be suffering from and the overall standard of health and fitness.

[chokkie]

IN all the job interviews I have been to, they have never actually asked me about any health issues, but I've always had to complete the Occupational Health questionnaire. If you're interviewed and get interviewed, they could contact your current employer to enquire if you take much time off sick.