posted
Help!! I'm having an in house interview next week and need advice from all. Can they legally ask about my health? I took a FMLA last year and have had a couple of sick days now and then, my attendance is considered acceptable. I have been with this company over 13 years and didn't know if that allows them to ask more questions than if you were just seeking an inital job. Please pray, wish luck, have happy thoughts I really want this job and am up against about 12 other people.
anessa
Posts: 16 | From kansas city | Registered: Jul 2007
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randibear
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 11290
posted
from what i understand, they can ask about your ability to do the job. such as if you had a hearing problem, how would you communicate? or if you had a vision problem, would you need a larger monitor or visual aids, etc.
but to ask how your health is in general, i don't believe they can, no. it is considered personal or privileged information.
however, i did have one supervisor call for references on me and that a___hole told them i was a leave abuser...i had gall bladder surgery and had to be off. other than that, i had no absences. they hired me anyway. i never did forgive him for that.
somebody else might chirp in here tho.
-------------------- do not look back when the only course is forward Posts: 12262 | From texas | Registered: Mar 2007
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posted
I second the previous post. They can't ask you what specific illness or ailment you have but they might be able to ask something like "Can you lift heavy objects" if that relates to something you have to do on the job. If they do ask something inappropriate about your health (ie something you are not comfortable answering), just flip the question back and say "There are no problems that would hprevent me from performing [specific tasks]," then follow with a positive statement about your prior experience or knowledge/confidence about doing [specific task(s)]. This shifts the interview into your control, turns the question around, and ends on a positive note. Good luck!
Posts: 163 | From Cleveland, OH | Registered: Sep 2007
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savebabe
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 9847
posted
If it is related to the job they can ask you, but otherwise it is against the law.
Posts: 1603 | From ny | Registered: Aug 2006
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stymielymie
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 10044
posted
savebabe is correct being an employer for 23 years.
they can not ask you your: 1)age 2)weight, height 3)sexual preference 4)color 5)injuries, unless related to same kind of job. 6)no medical questions and don't offer any. 7) they can not look at your medical records. 8)they can not ask religion,diet,hobbies nothing. "if you sky dive they can't ask that.
they can ask: 1) why terminated from last job, don't have to answer but slight lying may prevent call to last employer. 2) they can call all references you list but only those, if you don't want them to call somebody, don't list them. 3) they can ask if you can lift 50 lbs, only if part of job. 4)THEY CAN NOT GET YOUR MEDICAL RECORDS 5)they can drug test you, but usually for narcotics not blood tests. 6) they can not ask you to get a physical.
don't offer any information they don't want. thats what my lawyer always told me at trials. don't elaborate!!@!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! answer question. don't answer question with question!!!!! don't mumble make eye contact the entire interview. don't act nervous, they read body language. put hands to side.
docdave
Posts: 1820 | From Boone and Southport, NC | Registered: Sep 2006
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posted
Thanks docdave I knew someone would have that list. I found out it should be Thur or Fri sometime when I'm at work. My manager is having two other managers from other cities come in to help interview the local candates. One just happens to be my old manager (he transfered), but hey NO PRESSURE
anessa
Posts: 16 | From kansas city | Registered: Jul 2007
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