Can they ask for so much information?

Old-Ben_2

Received a job application form for position advertised in job centre today. Can't believe how much info they want! Photo, huge list of health questions, ranging from heart trouble to depression to gynaecological, drug dependancy, IBS, "can you provide evidence of BCG immunisation" - this is for an £8/hour admin post, not Alan Sugar's apprentice for flips sake! I mean how relevant is my height and weight to my ability to calculate SMP? :huh: (6'3" & 14st in old money)

I thought with all the various anti-discrimination legislation in place these sort of q's would be unnecessary,and if I was drug dependant I'm hardly likely to admit it.

So does anyone know why a company would need to ask these questions at this stage unless it is part of the selection process and therefore presumably discriminatory.

Thanks

Ben

LittleVoice

They can ask - but you don't have to answer.

Some questions might be relevant to some positions but not for all. It looks like they are trying to cover all possibilities using just one application form.

If they are asking the health questions then it is leaving themselves open to claims of discrimination on the grounds of disability.

filigree_2

Call and ask them what they will do with the information and who will have access to it. In my HR experience these sort of forms are separated from the application form and are not used in the selection process. Later the info might be recorded for monitoring purposes. If you mention a disability and then get offered the job, it will prompt them to put you in touch with Occupational Health to see if you need any special provisions.

bristol_pilot

Any job application requiring a photo - don't apply for the job. Unless it's a modelling agency or something, there is no legitimate reason to ask for a photo. What are they going to do? Appoint the applicant that the boss fancies the most? Totally unprofessional.

Savvy_Sue

It's not with the Civil Service is it? I got through their tests a few years ago, and I think the interview, but couldn't bear to complete the health questionnaire ...

Old-Ben_2

Not with civil service, a plc with 40,000 employees. I'm not going to apply, I've suffered from work related stress in the past and am looking for a less stressful future. Maybe I'm just being over cynical but I'm sure if I tick yes to the stress/depression box then my application will go straight onto the reject pile. It's kinda frustrating 'cos when I spoke with the HR dept on the phone they sounded really keen, got the area director to call me to arrange interview before they'd even sent the forms out.

Ben