Should I talk about health issues in a job interview?

Asked by: Caitlyn Friesen  |  Last update: August 18, 2023
Score: 4.5/5 (6 votes)

Legally, employers are not allowed to ask about your health history or conditions during a job interview. So as long as your answers are truthful, you don't have to reveal anything as long as you can do the job.

Should I talk about health issues at an interview?

An applicant is not required to disclose any medical conditions during an interview, even if asked. In fact, under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), employers are prohibited from asking questions about physical and mental illnesses during job interviews.

Can I be asked about my health in a job interview?

"The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) prevents an employer from asking about the health conditions of a prospective employee," she said. The guiding principle of the ADA is to force employers to focus on applicants' skills rather than on their disabilities.

Should you let interviewer know you are sick?

You can call ahead to let the interviewer know that you do not feel well with the intent of rescheduling, and if it is not a possibility, at least you will have given them fair warning. After that, the key is to get as much rest as possible beforehand, and do your best to concentrate during the interview.

Is it OK to ask about health benefits in an interview?

A good rule of thumb is to wait to ask questions about benefits until you know you're a serious candidate for the position, which is usually during the second or third round of interviews.

HEALTHCARE Interview Questions and TOP-SCORING ANSWERS!

17 related questions found

Should you tell your employer about your health condition?

You have the right to disclose at any time during your employment. You also have the right not to disclose. The Americans with Disabilities Act(ADA)1 states that employers cannot ask questions that will likely reveal the existence of a disability before making a job offer.

Can I ask an employee about health issues?

Health questions relating to job safety and performance

The ADA says employers may sometimes ask about health or disability-related issues and require medical examinations — but only if they are “job-related and consistent with business necessity”.

How do you cancel a job interview because you are sick?

If you can't attend the interview due to unforeseen circumstances, you can still attempt to reschedule. Call or email with the times you are available for an interview, apologize for the inconvenience and reassure the interviewer that you're still interested in the position.

Are employers allowed to ask why you're calling out sick?

Your employer is allowed to ask you why you are taking a sick day, including asking the nature of your ailment. However, asking questions about illnesses covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is not permissible.

How do you say not feeling well professionally?

"I'm really not feeling well and visited a doctor who thinks I may have [sickness]. I'll need to take some sick days to recover. I'm not sure how long I'll be out for, but I will keep you posted on how I am feeling over the next few days. In the meantime, [coworker's name] is going to help out with my workload."

What are 5 things employers can t ask about in an interview?

It is illegal to ask a candidate questions about their:
  • Age or genetic information.
  • Birthplace, country of origin or citizenship.
  • Disability.
  • Gender, sex or sexual orientation.
  • Marital status, family, or pregnancy.
  • Race, color, or ethnicity.
  • Religion.

What should not be asked in a job interview?

Questions to avoid in an interview:

Never ask if you can change the job details, the schedule, or the salary. Never ask many questions about the interviewer's background. Never ask about pay, time off, benefits, etc.

What is not allowed to be asked on job interview?

We recommend that you avoid asking applicants about personal characteristics that are protected by law, such as race, color, religion, sex, national origin or age.

What are 3 bad questions to ask in an interview?

To make sure your winning interview doesn't go south, here's the questions you should avoid asking at all costs.
  • What does the person do in this role? ...
  • What does the company do? ...
  • Do you have any other positions apart from this one? ...
  • Will I have long hours? ...
  • How much holiday do you offer? ...
  • What will my salary be?

What are signs that interview is going well?

Now, let's talk about some signs that you likely hooked that interviewer and are one step closer to landing that job.
  • Your Interview Ran Longer Than Scheduled. ...
  • Your Interviewer's Body Language Cues Were Positive. ...
  • Your Conversation Flowed Naturally. ...
  • You Were Asked Follow-Up Questions. ...
  • They Want You to Meet Other Team Members.

Should you disclose mental illness to employer?

Disclosing a psychiatric disability: Legal protections

So, in most cases, disclosing a psychiatric disability is a choice, not a requirement. Individuals who choose not to tell about their mental health condition are not “lying” or “hiding.” They are using a legally protected choice.

Do I have to tell my job why I'm calling out?

The best thing to do is respectfully and briefly inform your supervisor of why you need to take time off. You don't need to go into detail, legally there are federal limitations to what an employer can ask when you call out sick, unless you're covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Do you have to disclose why you are calling in sick?

Is it legal for an employer to ask why you are sick? No federal law prohibits employers from asking employees why they are out sick. They are free to ask questions such as when you expect to return to work. They may also require you to furnish proof of your illness, such as a note from a physician.

Do I have to tell my employer why I need time off?

Employees are typically required to answer only if there is a good business reason that the employer needs to know, or a legal one, such as taking a family medical leave.

Is cancelling a job interview bad?

While there are acceptable reasons to cancel a job interview and most recruiters and hiring managers will understand, whenever possible, it's better to reschedule your interview instead of canceling it — unless you plan to cancel your interview entirely.

Is it unprofessional to cancel a job interview?

It's completely normal to cancel a job interview as long as you provide professional notice. Use the interview cancelation email templates above to ensure you're being clear and professional with the employer, and consider providing a reason if you can.

Is it bad to cancel an interview the day of?

I think canceling minutes before is rude, but more than two hours is fair game. I feel like there is no point in taking an interview if you know that you will take the other offer. So to me, it's better to cancel the interview and respect people's time.

Can HR ask about medical conditions?

Questions can be asked for monitoring purposes. This might include questions relating to recent absences, or how the employee is finding their currently working arrangement. An employer can ask about a medical condition if it's thought that the condition might affect the employee's ability to do their job.

Can an employer ask what medications you are taking?

Medical Information Is Private

If an employer asks what prescriptions you're taking, this is regarded as a medical inquiry under the ADA. The starting point is that an employer can not ask about your use of prescription drugs unless the inquiry is job-related and consistent with business necessity.

Can my employer tell others I am sick?

The ADA requires employers to maintain the confidentiality of employee medical information obtained from a medical inquiry or examination, including medical information from voluntary health or wellness programs.