Just received my contract for work

And I have two problems. They ask for references, which I cannot give. It's been so long since I had a 'proper' job, and besides, my last boss was sacked for incompetence after I left the company.

And there's the medical side of things. What's wrong with declaring yourself fit for work? They want to know if I have any gynae complaints, have ever received radio- or chemotherapy, have any mental disorders, suffer from migraines, you name it...

Now I understand they have to know if you're fit for work, fair enough. But asking for access to your medical records? That's not on.

So. I don't know what to do. Refuse to fill in those pages and risk being sacked? Or lie on the forms? Or refuse to fill it in with an accompanying letter explaining why I am so doing?

The obvious thing to do would be to speak to my immediate superior on Friday, after my day off. But I'm just worried about the invasive nature of these questions.

Gynae complaints? What the hell business is it of theirs? They'll be asking when I lost my virginity next!

Well the contract basically asks you to fill out the forms and to sign over access to your medical records.

Some questions apply to me; some do not, but I can't in all good conscience lie to them so I'd rather fill it out honestly, or not at all. As it seems far too invasive for my liking, I'm leaning towards the 'not at all'.

They may retain the right to fire me, but to be honest...I'd rather they did that than I was forced to compromise my right to privacy.

*gulp*

Am I doing the right thing here? Please tell me I am.

On Friday I plan to speak to either the sales manager or the admin manager about it. They (both women) may think I'm being silly but I feel really strongly about this.

Trouble is, it's come from head office so it might not be something they can directly deal with. I may have to go higher up.

Or be fired.

I think it's probably legal because the company is known for being strict with other matters such as age discrimination (you can't even ask a colleague's age in passing or as a joke, really) or religious matters (I was asked if I would be willing to work Sundays rather than it just being assumed I would) or sexual harrassment or relationships in the workplace (two people who are known to be involved or related are moved to separate departments or even stores).

I think my next step should be to enjoy my day off as best I can and then speak to my immediate superior and ask what my rights are on this. He may well say I can refuse to give consent, or that I should answer the questions as they apply to work.

For instance, read the question, "Are you taking any medication?" as "Are you taking any medication that could affect your ability to work?"

They also ask if you drink and if so, how many units a week, and if you smoke, how many a day and so on...surely if you do so out of work hours, it's none of their damn business?!

Funnily enough, a friend has just suggested not returning it, and saying on the phone, "What? Oh, you didn't receive it? That's strange; I sent it back. Oh well. I'll send another copy..."

By which time the job will come to an end anyway, as it's only 'til 5th January.

My friend said this evening that every job is like that now - that they require medical proof you are 'fit for purpose' - but this seems way too invasive to me. What does the health of my foofar have to do with the job? Gynae problems? What the hell?!

Even though I've been advised to answer the questions in a limited way (as in, pretend they mean 'as relevant to the job', not 'in general') my conscience would still be bothered if I answered the questions in anything other than a 100% honest way. It's either complete honesty, or not at all.

And really, whoever advises me to answer the questionnaire and keep my head down, doesn't have to do the job or live inside my own head, so if it bothers me that much, there's only one thing I can do, and that's decline to answer.

I might get away with it, in which case, good. I might be asked to leave, in which case...bad, but I can at least live with myself in that instance.