Intrusive application questions!

[Scorchednurse]

I was recently completing my hiring paperwork for a pediatric home health company, and I came upon a "health history" page. It asked me to list every surgery I've ever had, the date, and why. It then asked me to list any new or chronic health conditions I've been diagnosed with in the last 5 years!!! When I asked why they need all that information; they stated it was pertinent to ensure we're capable of performing the functions required for the job! Also, they sent a paper to each of your prior employers that had to be returned prior to starting where they graded you 1-5 on dependability, attitude, etc., then asked if we were ever disciplined and why. I very honestly told them I had no interest in working for an employer that felt entitled to that much personal information, especially home health that offered average pay and said they are building clientele and have people who have been hired for 5 months that haven't gotten a patient yet!!! Forget it!! Anyone else have their employers ask questions this personal?

[umbdude, MSN, APRN]

Check the laws. Employers might ask, but that doesn't mean you must tell them (especially things such as HIV and mental illnesses). If they ask for your health records, I would not provide anything more than immunization records and a letter from my PCP stating that I don't have any conditions that would impede my ability to perform the work.

As for prior employer checks, I think that's pretty standard and most employers run a check on that.

But you can always walk away and not work for them. Most employment applications are annoying to fill out. I just give them very basic information and let them figure things out themselves.

[Scorchednurse]

Yeah...I certainly chose to pass on them. I do believe it's standard for them to contact prior employers...having them fill out a whole survey was surprising lol. We always have the right to turn a job down, I just feel in the last handful of years employers feel more entitled to know what you do in your life and able to control it. E.g., testing for nicotine upon hiring!

[jodispamodi]

For my job on a gero-psych unit, I was asked: if a had a boyfriend or husband, and then I was asked if I planned on becoming pregnant in the next two years.

I kept the shock off my face! But my head was like *****

[FolksBtrippin, BSN, RN]

For my job on a gero-psych unit, I was asked: if a had a boyfriend or husband, and then I was asked if I planned on becoming pregnant in the next two years.

I kept the shock off my face! But my head was like *****

Wow. That is illegal in the US. What year was this? What country?

[NurseSpeedy, ADN, LPN, RN]

Every single large company that I have worked for has asked for the exact same information. I think it's more of a formality than anything. Never got any follow up questions and always got the positions I applied for

[KelRN215, BSN, RN]

For my job on a gero-psych unit, I was asked: if a had a boyfriend or husband, and then I was asked if I planned on becoming pregnant in the next two years.

I kept the shock off my face! But my head was like *****

That is definitely 100% illegal in the US.

[jodispamodi]

Wow. That is illegal in the US. What year was this? What country?

Yup, I knew they were illegal questions, it was the 20teens, and good old USA.

[Horseshoe, BSN, RN]

Also, they sent a paper to each of your prior employers that had to be returned prior to starting where they graded you 1-5 on dependability, attitude, etc., then asked if we were ever disciplined and why. I very honestly told them I had no interest in working for an employer that felt entitled to that much personal information, especially home health that offered average pay and said they are building clientele and have people who have been hired for 5 months that haven't gotten a patient yet!!! Forget it!!

The questions about your work history, dependability, etc. were not personal questions. The questions about your medical history, however, were pretty intrusive. I wouldn't be answering those kinds of questions either.

[jodispamodi]

I know, it happened right here in the US, people still ask the "illegal"questions, theres virtually nothing you can do other than wipe the shock off your face.

This person also would call and leave a message (I learned never to answer my phone), about picking up a shift and if you didn't call back would call you back 8,9,10 times. This person would also change peoples time cards from home if they punched out late (illegal as well)

That was a FUN place to work.

[jodispamodi]

The questions about your work history, dependability, etc. were not personal questions. The questions about your medical history, however, were pretty intrusive. I wouldn't be answering those kinds of questions either.

They ask the questions about health for insurance and workers comp reasons. One of the places I worked changed insurance companies and they wanted a health questionaire filled out by everyone so they could "set premiums" I refused to do it as I didnt feel they had any reason for legitimate need for the info.

[Scorchednurse]

Wow. That is illegal in the US. What year was this? What country?

That's what I wondered! Was this in the 50's? Those are all on the list of things we're expressly prohibited from asking!