Can an employer force me to take a medical examination?

[fraggle08]

Hi
A new employer has told me I MUST consent to taking part in a medical examination prior to starting work with them.
The job involves almost zero manual labour and does not rely on physical prowess (like a footballer!), it is simply an office job, so as far as I can see this is irrelevant, especially as I have already completed a very extensive (and rather personal) health questionnaire prior to being offered the job.
There was nothing unusal on there so I don't understand why I must take part in this physical examination? Are they even allowed to do this?
I really don't feel comfortable about being poked, prodded and having to give my bodily fluids to a stranger who has no actual interest in my wellbeing or confidentiality. Why can they not simply ask my GP if they need more details? and what happens to the info / materials they collect?
If anyone works in occupational health / HR etc and knows about this please help? Many thanks

[another-view]

What do you have to hide?

I once knew someone who was continually on the sick. I bet his employer wishes he had checked them out first.

[fraggle08]

I don't have anything to hide but the point is we tend to blindly comply with every request that is made of us from an authoratitive body.
I've just simply stopped to think: why do they want such detailed utterly personal information? And are they actually entitled to do this?
It all seems very unecessary to me, and no other employer has ever asked it of me

[tamborine]

if those are their conditions of employment, comply, if you want the job.

[Greedyfly]

I have had to take a few of these for various jobs. I don't see why you would want to refuse when they have only just given you the job (rocking the boat may not be advisable). As for the exams themselves. Mine have only ever consisted of taking blood pressure, background health info and various basics. I have never had to give fluids or be poked or prodded really.

[Greedyfly]

I have been seeing more and more of these mentioned in job applications etc... I will be when asked because I want the job and need it to be honest. Small price to pay for the security of being able to pay bills etc... in my eyes. But it is your choice.

If I were the employer though I would be rethinking why I employed this person.

[another-view]

Put it this way, if you don't agree to a medical, there's plenty more applicants who will.

[tamborine]

You are entitled to demand a qualified doctor/medic for the examination. Some insurance companies demand medicals for staff they insure.

[rowanwitch]

I would guess you put yes in one too many boxes, one medical condition like headaches won't be picked up but if you had also said yes for back or limb pain, and maybe something else on the list they will call you in...really only likely to be height weight bp and only blood tests if what you do involves working closely with those vulnerable to infection... I always get called for medicals as I have mild asthma, bouts of vertigo and migrain....never been turned down on medical grounds

[Greedyfly]

I am currently trying to get into the NHS for an admin job and for every post I have applied for the mention of a medical has been as standard. That is before you fill out the personal questionnaire which asks about everything ranging from women's problems to lifting to mental health. As far as I am aware my medical has to be taken before I am offered the job to deem me fit?!

[buildersmate]

If there is a decent sickness benefit package associated with the job, this will be the reason why you are being asked to undertake a medical.

[factor-fiction]

Have you asked them why it's necessary?

[boxtops]

Fraggle, I work for the NHS and with every application form which gets to interview stage, the applicant must fill in an occupational health form, and any ultimate appointment to the job is subject to clearance by occupational health. It's not discriminatory, we are not allowed to be so, but Occy Health have often asked to briefly interview an applicant who has identified allergies or has long term problems. It's all part of the package these days. We can however only action this for the person who is offered the job, we are not allowed to look for OH clearance until the job offer has been made (so all our job offers are made "subject to satisfactory references and OH clearance"). Standard procedure.

[boxtops]

^PS greedy I hope that answers your Q too - medical clearance is sought once you've had the conditional job offer, not before.