Questions about health during job interview

jimjimmy1

Can anybody tell me if an interviewer is allowed to ask questions about my health during a job interview?

I turned up to the interview 15 minutes early as requested by the HR people at the firm in order to fill out an application form. Attached to the back of this was a questionnaire about health. I am under the impression that these questionnaires are legal for monitoring purposes for example if you are disabled but cannot be taken into account during the interview. I am not disabled, but did have a bought of pneumonia back in the late 80's which I fully recovered from. There was no option to give 'I do not wish to disclose' and a dire warning that if I lied on the form I could be sacked from the job if accepted to the post.

During the interview I was asked a question about my health, specifically mentioning the pneumonia, the interviewer had a copy of the health questionnaire on a clipboard. Now, I also mentioned other past ailments on the same questionnaire and some of the other questions related to a history of in patient care and any medicines that I take.

To cut a long story short, I didn't get the job but am wondering if I could have been discriminated against because of my medical history.

Jinx

I'm surprised they asked about your history at the interview. The global organisations Ive worked for sent the sealed completed questionnaires to an occupational health company and it was medical professionals who then contacted any staff re any issues.

cockaleekee

It is certainly not good practice to refer to health questionnaires during the interview, as it *could* be evidence of discriminatory behaviour. However, it is very easy for the employer to give another reason for you not being successful (another candidate with more experience/ gave better answers etc), so you would need to prove that they were not being truthful. I would suggest asking for feedback - unless your health concerns were recent, I doubt they would have had an impact on their decision.

joeblack066

Check the Equality Act 2010. I do believe that this is illegal now. They must only ask after the offer of employment has been made.

TrickyWicky

Well I had an interview a few weeks back with a company who also wanted to know all about my health issues.

Did I get the job? No.

You don't get the job if you have health issues yet if you don't tell them you're a liar and up for the sack. You can't win unless you land a job in the public sector or go self employed doing something.

joeblack066

TrickyWicky wrote: »

Well I had an interview a few weeks back with a company who also wanted to know all about my health issues.

Did I get the job? No.

You don't get the job if you have health issues yet if you don't tell them you're a liar and up for the sack. You can't win unless you land a job in the public sector or go self employed doing something.

This is incorrect. ALL employers have NO right to ask about health prior to offer of employment. Then they may. Employee then advises Employer of any health conditions. Legally Employer must then make 'reasonable adjustment' to enable employee to do the job of applicable. Of course, if the health condition prevents the job being able to be done, and adjustments would not be reasonable, then the offer can be withdrawn. One would hope that someone with say, vertigo, would not apply as a window cleaner!
There are many Employers who have failed to grasp this concept. You need to report any that are flouting the law, or they will continue to do so.