Occupational Health Interview

[China Doll]

Afternoon All,

I have an Occupational Health interview tomorrow for a new job. They didn't class me as fit to work due to a bout of depression I had last year in a previous role and I was expecting that I would need to attend some sort of meeting with them about this.

However I don't really know what it is they want to hear from me. As far as I'm concerned I'm much better, I've removed myself from the situation that was causing this and I did receive counselling too. I just desperately want to start my new job and move on with my life. Is there any sort of criterior they'll be measuring me against? What sort of thing would they want to know?

Many Thanks
China

[buildersmate]

I think you will find that is what they will be wanting to establish, China.
From an employers' point of view, they need to make an assessment regarding your health - physical and mental - to be able to make an assessment about your ability to do the job. Its particularly prevalent with employers having 1st Class sickness benefit schemes - once you are in, you are in - but they need to make a risk-assessment based on the responses from the questionnaire and any issues from the medical. Good luck.

[China Doll]

Thank you buildersmate. I just wondered if there were set questions I'd be likely to be asked, I know why they have to do it and I agree with them.

[Eve]

I think they'll tell a lot from the way you are, if you chat willingly, are positive, your body language etc...

If you went in and did yourself down and were difficult to get talking, did yourself down and seemed very downhearted about things, had defensive body language, they may think you're not quite in the right place yet, especially if the job is in a team.

Maybe they will want to see how you talk about what happened, do you find it hard to talk about and get defensive or are you open and relaxed and positive about things to show you're moved on.

Depending on the job, maybe they want to check your emotional state eg how you'd deal with authority or problems, would you be strong about things or emotional or find it hard to cope.

Another factor is whether you would be able to work normal hours without a lot of time off sick say if you felt you couldn't face work or cope with something, imortant that the stressful thing has been removed from your life and you're not still in a harmful environment.

Important for future colleagues or other people you'd come into contact with as to how you interact with people, how certain situations may affect you, eg paranoia or withdrawing. It is also important for the nature of the business.

Hope that gives more of a general idea of the things they may be looking for and good luck :) x

[saxy_jag]

It's important to remember that OH are there to help you, not stand in your way. If you are happy to return to work and everything's looking good, then that will please them and they'll be able to help you through that process. They wouldn't want you to go back to a job you couldn't cope with.

Be honest with them, and if you feel the need in the future, be aware that you have a right to refer yourself to OH.

[China Doll]

Thank you all for taking time to answer and put some of my fears to rest. The meeting lasted about five minutes and I start work on Monday. :c)

[Ice.Maiden]

Best of luck China. Glad you got through the interview.

[buildersmate]

Congratulations. BM

[China Doll]

Thank you!