Advice re pre-employment medical

Redchick

My son just got a call today to say he can't go on his college placement/internship because he failed his medical. Can his GP override the decision? They said something showed up in his bloods but he's got no known medical conditions but has a history of elevated inflammatory markers due to allergies. He's gutted because this might prevent him completing his degree.

Stheno

Redchick wrote: »

My son just got a call today to say he can't go on his college placement/internship because he failed his medical. Can his GP override the decision? They said something showed up in his bloods but he's got no known medical conditions but has a history of elevated inflammatory markers due to allergies. He's gutted because this might prevent him completing his degree.

Unlikely the GP can, no.

Did he asked what showed up?

What field is he in that required blood tests as part of a medical?

Redchick

Stheno wrote: »

Unlikely the GP can, no.

Did he asked what showed up?

What field is he in that required blood tests as part of a medical?

Engineering - it's a 6 month placement as part of his degree. He asked if he could talk to the Dr who carried out the medical but they wouldn't discuss it with him. They told him he'd have to talk to his GP. He got them to fax the results to his GP so we're waiting on a call back from them. He's gutted and worried about his degree now.

Stheno

Redchick wrote: »

Engineering - it's a 6 month placement as part of his degree. He asked if he could talk to the Dr who carried out the medical but they wouldn't discuss it with him. They told him he'd have to talk to his GP. He got them to fax the results to his GP so we're waiting on a call back from them. He's gutted and worried about his degree now.

Is it possible alcohol or drugs could have shown up?

Redchick

Stheno wrote: »

Is it possible alcohol or drugs could have shown up?

No. He rarely drinks and doesn't use drugs (not a mammy in denial😉btw) They didn't consent for a drug test and his urine dipstick they did at the start of the medical was perfect. Dr told him when he was leaving all looked good depending on bloods.

Stheno

Redchick wrote: »

No. He rarely drinks and doesn't use drugs (not a mammy in denial😉btw) They didn't consent for a drug test and his urine dipstick they did at the start of the medical was perfect. Dr told him when he was leaving all looked good depending on bloods.

I guess you'll have to wait to find out from your gp what it is. If it's the markers you mentioned the gp might be able to intervene.

It's rare to have blood tests in most medical for jobs in my experience

And they have to be able to demonstrate that the medical results demonstrate an impairment which would impact on ability to do the job

Redchick

Stheno wrote: »

I guess you'll have to wait to find out from your gp what it is. If it's the markers you mentioned the gp might be able to intervene.

It's rare to have blood tests in most medical for jobs

I know....we were really surprised that he had to do a medical as it was just a college placement (albeit a paid one). I just hope he's ok!!! Aswell as being able to complete his degree!

Thanks so much for taking the time to reply.

Stheno

Redchick wrote: »

I know....we were really surprised that he had to do a medical as it was just a college placement (albeit a paid one). I just hope he's ok!!! Aswell as being able to complete his degree!

Thanks so much for taking the time to reply.

No problem hopefully you get it sorted

Aravo

Maybe try another company. During the recession a lot of companies did not take on placements and some students did their placement through the college doing a set project. A smaller company would prob not go down the medical route.

Stheno

Aravo wrote: »

Maybe try another company. During the recession a lot of companies did not take on placements and some students did their placement through the college doing a set project. A smaller company would prob not go down the medical route.

That's a good idea

davo10

Stheno wrote: »

I guess you'll have to wait to find out from your gp what it is. If it's the markers you mentioned the gp might be able to intervene.

It's rare to have blood tests in most medical for jobs in my experience

And they have to be able to demonstrate that the medical results demonstrate an impairment which would impact on ability to do the job

The GP will not intervene, nor should he/she. Depending of the raw materials/chemicals/products used in the manufacturing at this company, they may be testing sensitivity to particular allergens. If the ops son reacts to those allergens then on H&S grounds he cannot work there and his GP will not recommend/have a say in this.

Op, if your son failed the specific medical for this company, then they will not take him on lest they knowingly put his health at risk. Tell him to look elsewhere asap.

Stheno

davo10 wrote: »

The GP will not intervene, nor should he/she. Depending of the raw materials/chemicals/products used in the manufacturing at this company, they may be testing sensitivity to particular allergens. If the ops son reacts to those allergens then on H&S grounds he cannot work there and his GP will not recommend/have a say in this.

That's why I said the gp might intervene

Op firstly needs to find out why they failed the medical

Redchick

Aravo wrote: »

Maybe try another company. During the recession a lot of companies did not take on placements and some students did their placement through the college doing a set project. A smaller company would prob not go down the medical route.

Thanks, he emailed his placement supervisor straight away and had to chat to him tomorrow. He's worried that he won't be able to finish his degree.

Redchick

davo10 wrote: »

The GP will not intervene, nor should he/she. Depending of the raw materials/chemicals/products used in the manufacturing at this company, they may be testing sensitivity to particular allergens. If the ops son reacts to those allergens then on H&S grounds he cannot work there and his GP will not recommend/have a say in this.

Op, if your son failed the specific medical for this company, then they will not take him on lest they knowingly put his health at risk. Tell him to look elsewhere asap.

What a great alternative way of looking at it!! Thanks, I never even considered that....just automatically thought there was something seriously off with his bloods. And then the disappointment for him - he was so gutted and worried about his degree. We'll go to his GP first thing to get some answers. The medical centre who did the medical won't tell him what showed up so hopefully we'll get answers tomorrow.

JigglyMcJabs

Redchick wrote: »

What a great alternative way of looking at it!! Thanks, I never even considered that....just automatically thought there was something seriously off with his bloods. And then the disappointment for him - he was so gutted and worried about his degree. We'll go to his GP first thing to get some answers. The medical centre who did the medical won't tell him what showed up so hopefully we'll get answers tomorrow.

Don't worry about the degree, I'd be confident that the college has an alternative in place if necessary, for one reason or another some people can't get a placement and the college would have another way to earn the credits for cases like that. Colleges want to see students graduate. It's obviously preferable if he could get a placement somewhere else.

Redchick

JigglyMcJabs wrote: »

Don't worry about the degree, I'd be confident that the college has an alternative in place if necessary, for one reason or another some people can't get a placement and the college would have another way to earn the credits for cases like that. Colleges want to see students graduate. It's obviously preferable if he could get a placement somewhere else.

Thanks so much. Feeling a lot more positive now. I deal with student placements in my line of work and often get last minute calls about placements. Unfortunately brain just turns to mush when it's one of your own !!

Redchick

Still no reply from the doctor who carried out the medical despite numerous phone calls by my son to the practise.

He did get his blood results from his own GP and they said one reading is slightly elevated but it's no cause for concern and that it was definitely not a reason to be deemed unfit for placement.

Still can't do a damn thing until we find out the reason he failed though. So frustrating but equally I'm so relieved that it's nothing serious.

Thanks to all who gave advice.

Redchick

So finally got to the bottom of it.....still not over yet as Dr is seeking clarification from the company about their exact criteria.

My foolish kid went and said that he smoked dope when he was in Amsterdam around a year ago. I knew he had smoked and warned him not to say anything as it was just the once and would have been well gone from his system. But he was afraid to lie!!!! Go figure.... Anyway there was no drug screen done but the Dr decided to fail him on "past drug use" because in his words it was very open to interpretation. He hasn't touched it since(Or before) and barely even drinks. Suffice to say the young lad has learned a tough lesson!!!

Stheno

Redchick wrote: »

So finally got to the bottom of it.....still not over yet as Dr is seeking clarification from the company about their exact criteria.

My foolish kid went and said that he smoked dope when he was in Amsterdam around a year ago. I knew he had smoked and warned him not to say anything as it was just the once and would have been well gone from his system. But he was afraid to lie!!!! Go figure.... Anyway there was no drug screen done but the Dr decided to fail him on "past drug use" because in his words it was very open to interpretation. He hasn't touched it since(Or before) and barely even drinks. Suffice to say the young lad has learned a tough lesson!!!

Can he get another placement?

Redchick

Stheno wrote: »

Can he get another placement?

Unlikely at this stage, he's really down and defeated over it. College will sort something so that he can earn the credits so at least his degree will be safe. It's so unfair but he should have said nothing.....

Tigger

Redchick wrote: »

Unlikely at this stage, he's really down and defeated over it. College will sort something so that he can earn the credits so at least his degree will be safe. It's so unfair but he should have said nothing.....

american company?
ismoking dope in amsterdamn isnt even a crime

Aravo

Better to learn this life lesson now than at a proper job medical. Move on and best of luck.

Redchick

Tigger wrote: »

american company?
ismoking dope in amsterdamn isnt even a crime

Yup. Dr is querying how strict they are on what constitutes "past drug use" I personally think he's making it up as he goes along. He wasn't expecting to be questioned or challenged.

Tigger

Aravo wrote: »

Better to learn this life lesson now than at a proper job medical. Move on and best of luck.

you mean learn to lie?

Redchick

Aravo wrote: »

Better to learn this life lesson now than at a proper job medical. Move on and best of luck.

Agree 100% Exactly what we've said to him. He needs to just accept it and make the best of whatever college can sort out. You can be sure he won't make a dopey (pardon the pun!) mistake like this again.

Tigger

Redchick wrote: »

Yup. Dr is querying how strict they are on what constitutes "past drug use" I personally think he's making it up as he goes along. He wasn't expecting to be questioned or challenged.

sure alcohol is a drug, question should be past illegal use of drugs, answer is no.

in certain US stated cannabis is totally legal.

Redchick

Tigger wrote: »

sure alcohol is a drug, question should be past illegal use of drugs, answer is no.

in certain US stated cannabis is totally legal.

Yeah I know....go figure!! They didn't even do a drug screen. We're heartbroken for him. I was going to see if he had a case for discrimination, even though I know it's not one of the 7 grounds, probably more of an infringement of his civil liberties, but not sure it's worth it to be honest.

Stheno

Redchick wrote: »

Yeah I know....go figure!! They didn't even do a drug screen. We're heartbroken for him. I was going to see if he had a case for discrimination, even though I know it's not one of the 7 grounds, probably more of an infringement of his civil liberties, but not sure it's worth it to be honest.

It's not and if it's a US multinational they can be incredibly rigid

Was the reason I asked about drugs earlier in this thread tbh you are guaranteed an instant fail with the more rigid

No clear appeal either if they have a no tolerance attitudes that's not illegal

Tigger

Stheno wrote: »

It's not and if it's a US multinational they can be incredibly rigid

Was the reason I asked about drugs earlier in this thread tbh you are guaranteed an instant fail with the more rigid

No clear appeal either if they have a no tolerance attitudes that's not illegal

what if its a no tolerance of alcohol or tobacco?

Redchick

Stheno wrote: »

It's not and if it's a US multinational they can be incredibly rigid

Was the reason I asked about drugs earlier in this thread tbh you are guaranteed an instant fail with the more rigid

No clear appeal either if they have a no tolerance attitudes that's not illegal

You did but i was thinking more current use and showing up in bloods/urine. I didn't think it would apply to an isolated spliff in a county where it was legal months ago. Anyway after a lifetime of telling him honesty is the best policy he's been penalised for it. Such is life!!

Foweva Awone

Redchick wrote: »

Yeah I know....go figure!! They didn't even do a drug screen.

They took bloods but didn't do a drug screen? Hmm ... You're sure your son is being 100% honest with you about all this?

Could be a case that he smokes the odd joint, it showed up in the tests but he doesn't want to tell you.

Redchick

Foweva Awone wrote: »

They took bloods but didn't do a drug screen? Hmm ... You're sure your son is being 100% honest with you about all this?

Could be a case that he smokes the odd joint, it showed up in the tests but he doesn't want to tell you.

100% sure...they sent a copy of all results to gp because something else showed up. I was with him when the GP said there was no drug screen done. I was also with him when he spoke to the Dr who did the medical when he was trying to find out why he failed him, and what he told me is what he told him. So no he's not lying.