7. Interviewing a disabled candidate
There is no duty on job applicants to volunteer to disclose a disability to a prospective employer. It follows that where a disabled applicant is being interviewed the onus will be on the manager conducting the interview to ask appropriate questions to ascertain whether the candidate is capable of performing the job effectively. It will also be necessary for the manager to establish whether any adjustments to working practices or premises would be necessary to support the disabled applicant should he or she be appointed. Such questions are permitted, but it will be important to ask them in a positive way, i.e. without adopting a negative attitude or making assumptions that there will be a problem.
· Make sure that any questions asked focus on the applicant's ability to perform the job duties, and not on the potential difficulties that he or she might have in the job on account of the disability.
· Ask questions related to the effects of the applicant's disability only where the answers are likely to be relevant to the duties of the job for which the person is being considered.
· Refrain from asking intrusive questions about the candidate's medical condition or disability.
· Frame questions in a positive way so as to avoid the risk of the job applicant perceiving that you are looking for or anticipating problems.
· Avoid drawing negative conclusions about a disabled candidate's capabilities without solid evidence, as such assumptions would amount to disability discrimination.
Don't say | Do say |
I see you have a mobility impairment. This would obviously make it difficult for you to… | I see you have a mobility impairment. Can we discuss how you think this might affect your ability to perform the job and what type of support might be helpful to you. |
What exactly is the matter with you? | Tell me something about how your condition might impact on your ability to… |
You would obviously be unable to do the manual aspects of the job… | Tell me the extent to which you think you would be able to perform the manual aspects of the job. |
How do you think other employees might react to a disabled person in the workplace? | This company has a policy of supporting disabled employees. |
Did your disability cause problems in your last job? | What adjustments did your last employer make that you found helpful? |
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