Being asked your occupation - is it normal?

[theleg]

Need a reality check here to see if i'm overreacting.

When looking for services, is it normal to be asked outright what your job is and whether youre sure you can afford it?

I was after some private services (healthcare) and contacted someone. Before getting into my issues and what I was after, the first thing she asked was my job and asked if i was sure i could afford her services. Which immediately put me off and made sure I went with someone else.

Am i overreacting? Or would that kind of approach to possible new clients put others off too?

 

[theleg]

Because most of their work is paid for through insurance. Not very may people pay cash for their services.

Sure, but he didnt even ask whether it was going through insurance or not...and surely if someone is looking privately and paying cash, they wouldnt do it if they couldnt afford it?

PS, havent posted it in the thread yet but i bought a gorgeous sword from a site you linked me a while back. Much appreciationis.

 

[theleg]

every time I've been seen by a consultant they ask my occupation when taking a history, seems fairly standard and probably gives them a bit more detail about your lifestyle

though in this instance it seems they're worried about whether you can pay - that is probably because you sound like a ***** on the phone

Yah, same. They usually ask as part of setting up the treatment plan etc. but this was literally the first thing he asked, before anything else

I do sound a bit like a *****

 

[theleg]

Well it is just a question. You can refuse to answer if you really want.

Evidently, you've gone with someone else who didn't ask. So you've exercised your freedom!

Yes, im happy with the person I went with..Just wondering if others would have found that question, in that context, a little rude?

 

[theleg]

I can see why some people might be offended, but I doubt the person on the phone meant it in a condescending manner.

Oh i dont think it was malicious..perhaps snobby but i dont think he was being intentionally rude.

but i wonder, would he have refused to give me a consultation had i said i was a shelf stacker for example?

 

[theleg]

Being aware of any potential occupational hazards would be pretty normal for healthcare provider no?

Big difference between a double agent and a librarian for example.

It wasnt about the job itself, it was purely about whether or not I could afford his fees.

 

[theleg]

Is this for a specific treatment or an ongoing healthcare plan?

It would be ongoing treatment for back pain specifically. If it was information as part of that treatment id understand but it was purely about the fees

 

[theleg]

So is it a chiropractor?

Its a physio/rehabilitation type of thing for back pain.

 

[theleg]

One extra piece of info is that not only are her fees not listed anywhere but after asking my occupation, she asked how much i was expecting to pay. That was also a big red flag for me. cost wasnt really an issue tbh as its essential treatment.

 

[theleg]

It sounds like you spoke with a secretary who handled the question of funding crassly that's all. Don't take it personally, the person probably asked the same question of many other people just as crassly.

It wasnt a secretary, it was the physio herself and it was before anything else was even mentioned. Im not taking it personally, i just found it unprofessional and it was enough to make me go elsewhere. I wanted to know if others agreed it was rude.

 

[theleg]

It's hard without context. To ask what you do and make you aware that a protracted process of private physiotherapy could be pricy is not rude, as knowing your occupation is often very relevant and prolonged private medical help is expensive. If you are unhappy, go elsewhere as that is one of the advantages of private medical services, you can go to who/where you wish.

But you need to make sure you are not a binner and may I ask, what do you do?

Its not so much that she asked, its that she asked literally before anything else.

I dont know what a binner is

 

[theleg]

Healthcare ???

Services wink wink

 

[theleg]

As I said, if you are unhappy go elsewhere, the rest is just us trying to understand whether you should be butt hurt at some quak asking you if you can afford her, which is a bit pointless. Take your hard earned elsewhere is my advice, power is all yours in these situations.

Thats what I did, as mentioned

but yes, i got my answer in here, thanks chaps.