My UK employer rejected me as per agency in PH thru call
I just got a phone call from the local agency last Tuesday informing me that my employer in the UK does not accept my condition as an electrician.
After that, they asked me via email to send receipts for my TB test, medical examination, and IELTS for reimbursement. However, they did not send any written notice stating that I was rejected because of my medical condition, which is HIV.
To summarize, I was accepted by the employer last March 13 through an email sent by the agency in Ireland. They informed me that a local agency would contact me to assist with my requirements, mainly the TB test, medical examination, and IELTS.
At first, I was shocked that the medical test required by the local agency included an HIV test. I just told myself that it was mandatory here under DOH regulations (please correct me if I’m wrong).
On the day I went to the DOH-accredited clinic on Dian Street in Makati, I openly disclosed my HIV status because they would find out anyway since it was part of the test. What seemed sketchy to me was that one of the doctors handling my case asked for an acceptance letter from the employer, which forced me to disclose my medical condition to them. Because of this, I informed the local agency as well.
A few days later, the local agency called me and asked me to request my initial test results from the clinic so they could review them, which honestly felt sketchy and stigmatizing to me.
I then went back to the clinic and submitted the required documents, such as my confirmatory test, CD4 count, and viral load results. I explained to the clinic that I needed the initial medical results in order to obtain the acceptance letter from the employer, but they could not release them due to the missing requirement, which was the acceptance letter itself.
I informed the agency about this and also provided them with my medical abstract to show that I am undetectable.
During Holy Week, the agency from Ireland contacted me and asked whether I already had my medical results. Through WhatsApp, I explained the situation and directly told them that I needed an acceptance letter from the employer because it was required by the clinic.
After several calls and messages with the doctor handling my case, the clinic management finally issued a letter to the local agency on April 15 stating that I am medically stable with a good prognosis, and that:
“Periodic medical surveillance with regular monitoring of his viral load and CD4 count is recommended for continuity of care.”
The letter also stated:
“For the information and guidance of his employer.”
I felt relieved after receiving this and patiently waited for the employer’s final decision.
Then, on Tuesday, May 5, the local agency called me in the morning and informed me that the employer did not accept me because of my HIV status. According to them, they previously had an employee of a different race with the same condition, and although they accepted him, he allegedly abused the benefits available to PLHIV in the UK and did not perform well at work.
Is this a valid reason? Why was this communicated only through a phone call and not through email? I am now requesting a formal rejection letter stating the valid reason for my peace of mind.