health questionnaire from work

From my tiny bit of knowledge of these things, I think the idea behind it is to prevent someone having an industrial accident and trying to claim for a previous unrelated injury.  For example, you may have had years of back pain which the company has no knowledge of, then have a fall at work and sue them for thousands for a back injury sustained on their premises.  Does that make sense? 

 That said, it sounds a particularly intrusive form, and you certainly shouldn't have to give weight, GP's details etc.  Presumably the company has an emergency number and if you collapsed at work they wouldn't be ringing your GP anyway. 

 There should also be some sort of assurance that the form is confidential.  As D74 and Coops said, it could be related to some sort of income protection scheme, but that should be made abundantly clear to you and you should be issued with a private/confidential envelope in which to return it. 

Depending on the size/structure of the company, I would ask in writing what the purpose of the form is and then go the ACAS route. 

some employers will argue that even if you don't sign it, by nature of turning up for work you are accepting the terms of the contract.

we are looking at introducing BUPA cover where I work, to complement a death-in-service package we already have and i have been asked to produce details of all staff off sick for more than 90 days (which tends to be those off with depression or those undergoing treatment for cancer).

i'm not sure about signing the waiver on the WTD - it is fairly common in my industry (social care) and i don't see any issue with it myself, but then again i'm not likely to be asked to do such extra hours.

Employers will argue all sorts of things but that doesnt always mean that they are right - and often aren/t.  Silence does not convey agreement to a new contract, especially on such a short time scale. Hubby has a tribunal case on this very point tomorrow on behalf of the employee and expects to win as there is case law to support his arguments. 

There are a number of other issues here.  Firstly, can you be sacked for not disclosing a medical condition?  It has to be fair so the condition would have to make a material difference to your ability to work.

Should you complete the form?  You have to obey reasonable management instructions but giving personal information without knowing what it is required for or even who will see it doesn;t sound very reasonable. Definately get more information.  And the data protection act may apply to who has access to that information

New contract terms have to be agreed by both parties.  If you already have a contract you are entitled to stick to the one you already have.  Complications arise if a Uniion has agreed the  new terms on your behalf. 

Definately get more advice either from a citizens advice or ACAS and if possible get a group together to put in a collective enquiry rather than just yourself.

Good luck and keep us posted.

I'm too annoyed to say anything sensible about it....

I'm off to join Liberty.........