Job processing, "Health" related questions. Your rights?

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TeaLeaf

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#186914 9-Dec-2015 17:55

This is something Ive seen in NZ but not Aus.

They ask "Do you have any health issues which hinder you from preventing you duties in you role" etc etc.

To me thats pretty much saying "Do you have anything we should know about, if so we can move on to the next candidate". Yeah discrimination is illegal but dont tell me it doesnt happen.

How and who let this happen in this country? Every time I come back some bad and new has happened. Next well have a new flag just to take our minds off important issues like tppa, oh wait.

Anyway, lets say you suffer from a minor mental illness like low grade depression or occasional anxiety, or you have a sore back occasionally, but in your opinion it wouldnt hinder you from doing the job, do you have to list these?

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johnr

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#1444668 9-Dec-2015 17:57

No as the question asks

" Do you have any health issues which hinder you from preventing you duties in you role" etc etc. "

Handle9

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#1444673 9-Dec-2015 18:17

I'm not entirely sure what you are objecting to. The question is job related and reasonable. It doesn't ask if you have an unrelated illness or something that isn't relevant, it asks if you have an illness or disability which stops you performing the role.

If you are a builders labourer having a back injury which prevents you from lifting is a big deal, if you are a data entry type it's less so.

Put it another way, do you feel that employers should have to consider someone who can't perform the role regardless? That seem ludicrous to me.

gzt

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#1447205 10-Dec-2015 15:05

TeaLeaf:
MikeAqua:
For example a person can't be discriminated against because they have depression. However, an employer might not employ a person to interact with customers who didn't present as positive and confident in an interview.

But if the person comes across bright and bubbly and confident? You are assuming people with depression are mopey and sad in interviews. Likewise many people with depression, work is there life, what they love, what keeps there depression at bay.

And if they put on paper they have depression they may be discriminated against behind closed doors so the employer cant be sued because thats how this system is set up, ie no transparency.

I guess thats part of it, there is not enough transparency if what is done with the information provided.

Bottom line: In all cases if it does not affect your work / ability to do the job then there is no need and no moral obligation to mention.