Job Discussion Forums

desertstorm · Joined: 04 Oct 2014 Posts: 16

Dear All,

I need some advice/guidance from you guys.

I am currently applying for jobs within Saudi Arabia, and have thankfully passed a few interviews. In one instance the recruiter is 'processing the paperwork' and in the other I have recieved an application form for direct hire.

Now here's the issue. I suffer from epilepsy, however this has been under control for the past 10 + years. The epleptic fits used to occur ONLY while sleeping at night, never during the day.

As you know, the application forms ask for previous medical history. I know for sure that if I mention epilepsy that bells will start ringing - resulting in no job.

So what should I do? Keep this quiet or be upfront and let the company know - even though I fear what the result would be of this course.

Thanking you in advance.

water rat · Joined: 30 Aug 2014 Posts: 1098 Location: North Antarctica

Hide it. What they don't know won't hurt them. If what you say is true, that it only ever happens in your sleep, they'll be none the wiser. If by some chance you have a seizure at work, one would like to think that they'd just feel sorry for you and do what they can to help you. There are topflight doctors, as well as paid-for hospital visits in KSA if you have a proper contract. So even if they ever did find out, you could lie outright and say it's the first time, or you could sheepishly admit that you had this problem all along. Again, I would like to think that your employers are decent enough human beings not to mind too much, and just wish you the best of health.

CVN-76 · Joined: 28 Mar 2014 Posts: 171

I'll assume (and hope) you have more than the Saudi prospect in the basket. Saudi is a place that demands the expensive health exam, yet its neighbors, such as Oman, do not require the in-depth exam at all. At least this was the case not long ago. Knowing this and knowing the turnover rate for Saudi, I'd not tell them a thing about my private medical history. I'd also demand a reimbursement for the exam, considering the odds of my successfully completing a Saudi contract are lower than what they'd be at jobs in the other GCC countries. And you need at least one more basket if Saudi is the only country you're looking at.

desertstorm · Joined: 04 Oct 2014 Posts: 16

Thank you for the swift reply.

That is what I was also inclining towards.
At the moment I take medication. Would I be asked at the airport if I take medication with me?

Thanks.

balqis · Joined: 30 Jul 2006 Posts: 373

When I was doing my medical report for KSA - I am not American though - I asked a family member, a doctor himself, to ''do '' the report for me. I only delivered to the man basic blood tests, the rest he filled out himself. There was a number of tests demanded by the KSA medical report template, which are not performed at all where I come from. So the doctor left blanks in the report. The KSA Embassy issued a visa irrespective of the blanks.

When crossing the border, the Saudi security asked me about my medicine box, quite large - size of a shoe box more or less - and indeed with variety. I started explaining the content bit by bit, but after say 3 bits of ointment he just waved his hand meaning ''off you go'', and that was it.
I'm sure there are regulations on medicine, but with Arabs regulations mean very little, they don't give a damn mostly, [ and this sublime quality in their character I adore - in Kuwait, though smoking is strictly forbidden at all airports, the security-check man was smoking nonetheless, hiding his cigarette under the conveyor-belt on which the luggage is Xrayed, and instead of looking at the screen he was just having small talk with me].

As to your initial question: to hide.

balqis

desertstorm · Joined: 04 Oct 2014 Posts: 16

Thank you Balqis for your reply. Most helpful!

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Tell no one. You will be okay taking medication through customs.

desertstorm · Joined: 04 Oct 2014 Posts: 16

Thank you Scot47 Very Happy

nomad soul · Joined: 31 Jan 2010 Posts: 11454 Location: The real world

I won't comment on disclosure; however, make sure you have a large supply of your meds and a copy of your prescription with the names of the generics, if they exist.

Gulezar · Joined: 19 Jun 2007 Posts: 483

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Working for Saudi Arabian Airlines 1996-2002 I kept quiet about being a diabet6ic. After that (2003-2011) I worked for KFUPM and had no need to conceal my medical condition. Best to keep schtum until you figure out what the consequences might be.

balqis · Joined: 30 Jul 2006 Posts: 373

Definitely do not disclose.

balqis

MuscatGary · Posted: Thu May 07, 2015 1:04 am Post subject:

My office mate in Oman (an Omani) came back from class one day visibly shaken. He told me that a girl in his class was 'full of bad magic.' When I probed it became obvious she had suffered an eplileptic attack. Apparently the teacher and all of the other students had run out of the rooom, none of them tried to help the girl. by the time myself and a western female teacher got to the room the girl had recovered. Just be aware that this level of ignorance probably exists in KSA too.

CANDLES · Posted: Thu May 07, 2015 8:45 am Post subject:

I had a girl in my class who every so often would turn into a 'rigid stone like figure' and become ice cold. Her eyes would glaze over and nothing could be done, apart from me giving her some water or juice.

And what did the rest of the students do? Started praying! I meanwhile called the doctor who said the student was diabetic and nothing else, however she herself said that the girl was possibly 'possessed'.

All this in KSA!

Grendal · Posted: Thu May 07, 2015 9:42 am Post subject:

If it was almost any other country in the world I would say be honest with them. But because we are dealing with the very few countries in the world where they profess honesty but live a lifestyle far from it, I would say hide it.

I hidden many many things from my beloved Saudi officials. Smile

Grendal