Can we use our job application forms to find out about someone´s health and past absence(s) from work?
It is generally permissible for an employer to seek information from job applicants and employees about their health and by extrapolation, past absences from work; this might be done by asking them to complete medical questionnaires or to undergo medical assessments. Employers should only seek such information if they have good reason for doing so i.e. they have a reason that is objectively justifiable. If an employer does seek information about health and past absences from work, it is good practice only to seek it from successful job applicants who have been given conditional job offers; in practice it is best not to routinely ask all job applicants to complete a medical/absence questionnaire, or to undergo a medical assessment. The Equality Commission would recommend that you do not require all job applicants to submit a completed medical/absence questionnaire together with their application forms for the job. Questions about health and/or absence should not be included within job a
