employment
5
interview
questions you
can’t be asked
Hayden King,
ON-Q participant
completing work
experience at the
Mockingbird.
Knowing where you stand with prospective employers can be difficult. ON-Q Disability Services
has put together five questions you can’t be asked in a job interview about your disability.
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1. Do you have a disability? 3. Are you taking medication? Even then, if their questions seem
While technically, an employer Specifics of your disability that do not strange and not related directly to
can ask you this, you don’t have a directly affect how you do your job the job you’re applying for, don’t feel
legal obligation to provide them are completely off limits. Don’t feel pressured to answer.
any information about a disability like you have to answer these or any 5. Are you going to be able to cope?
that doesn’t impact your work other specific questions about any Sure, employers can ask if you
performance. With many disabilities treatment you might be undertaking. will be able to perform aspects of
not being visible, it’s important to 4. How many times a year do you the role but asking in a way that is
know that if you can do your job, and go to the doctor? undermining, insulting or intrusive
you don’t want to tell your employer Again, off limits. If an employer isn’t allowed.
about your disability, you don’t have asks you this in an interview they’ve ON-Q CEO and Executive Director
to. Be careful here, if you keep your overstepped the line. If they do ask Lisa Smith said the main thing to keep
disability quiet, in the case of injury for personal information, they have to in mind is: would someone without a
on the job you might miss out on do it in a way that is fair, not intrusive disability be asked this?
things like workers’ compensation. and they need to tell you why they are 2. How did you get your disability? asking for it, tell you what happens if question is giving you a weird vibe,
Not only insensitive, this question you don’t provide it (ie the workers’ then don’t be afraid to say that you
is also intrusive. Again, you have no comp situation), allow you access don’t feel comfortable answering or
legal obligation to answer this, or to any information you provide, that you don’t wish to disclose that
provide any details – whether your and tell you who get copies of your information,” she said.
disability is visible or not. information and how to con