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Advice on employing a person with previous back problems
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Posted By Andrew1
A company has offered a person a position subject to a medical. The potential recruit has had previous back problems which meant 2 weeks sickness in the last two years. The cause was not diagnosed and no effort has been made to cover up this injury, and the problem has seemingly gone. The person is fit enough to pass the medical.
My question is, provided this is documented that person has had previous back problems now recovered would it be safe to employ? The job is involved with I.T and will be office based, and is not envisaged to require lots of heavy lifting. After all this person is likely to be offered the position on the grounds that he is the best candidate.
Your help is appreciated
Andrew
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Posted By Chris Matthews
Knock back the offer of employment as the office IT bod,due to an injury which kept him off work for two weeks within the last two years and see how fast a claim under either the DDA or some other form of discrimination comes in!
All the best
Chris
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Posted By Andrew1
Chris,
That's fair comment. Thank you for the confirmation.
Andrew
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Posted By TBC
I suppose it would depend on the severity of the problem as to whether the candidate would be likely to take time off work in the future. I injured my back whilst in the Fire & Rescue service many years ago and all I have is little niggly pains if I do something without thinking first. A good ergonomic chair and full DSE assessment will do the job. As a matter of interest do you know what the candidates hobbies are? Could have a bearing on ongoing problems.
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Posted By David J Jones
I suggest your HR dept records the fact that a declared, pre-existing "medical" condition exists so it doesn't come back and bite you later. That may sound a tad cynical, but providing you conduct both DSE and ergonomic work station assessments, you should be o.k.
David
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Posted By Bill Elliott
Andrew - turn it around the other way. This person has been up front and disclosed a pre existing injury that resulted in time off (far from excessive I would add). What you need to ensure is that the work you are offering does not adversely affect the indiviudals health, safety & welfare, knowing as you do of the pre existing condition. To not offer this post would be tantamount to discrimination.
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Advice on employing a person with previous back problems
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