To think this is disgraceful behaviour from nanny agency?

[grobagsforever]

Currently trying to recruit a nanny to help me out following loss of DH to cancer. Obviously I have been open with agencies/applicants as I need someone who is sensitive to situation. Agency rang me today to pitch a candidate, mentioning that this candidate had recovered from cancer herself in 2010. AIBU to think this a gross breach of confidentiality, not to mention inappropriate?

I'd like to meet with the candidate but I certainly don't want to pay this agency a penny! I haven't signed their contract or anything so I'm tempted just to message her directly and inform her of agency's behaviour.

I'm fairly sure that's a breech of the equalities act - did you make your feelings clear to the agency?

I don't think it's disgraceful? Inappropriate in the sense of privacy though, I suppose.

Sorry for your loss though

Maybe she was happy for this information to be disclosed on this occasion because of your situation

Why don't you ask the agency if they have permission?

I'm so very sorry for your loss and I understand how you feel, but possibly the candidate has give permission to the agency to share that information with you.

Just a thought.

That's what I thought, given cancer is covered by the DDA.

Yes I suppose she may have given permission. Still wholly inappropriate though. I will ask her.

DDA is outdated, it's now equalities act - no questions re. Health can be asked before offering a job unless related to the job and if it's brought up it should be disregarded. So no matter the situation it should not have been shared. I understand why the agency would have, but that doesn't make it ok.

Perhaps the agency and she thought that disclosing this to you would show that the nanny would understand some of what you've been through. it seems a bit of a shame to shoot them down for something that may have been kindly intentioned if misguided.

But if you told them that you wanted someone who would be sensitive to the situation, perhaps the nanny herself brought it up in conversation with them when they asked if she would be interested. She may have encouraged them to share that information because she feels she can offer you something that other applicants may not be able to.

I would check first before you make any snap decisions - they may actually be a really great agency who have gone above and beyond to find someone who will be able to help your family.

Sorry for you loss - I hope you find someone who can help your family.

I am a bit confused. You said you wanted someone who would be sensitive to your situation so surely it would follow that they would need to inform the potential candidate?

Wow - epic cross posts. Which part of it do you think it inappropriate? That they thought she would be better qualified to help you because she had experience herself or that they told you about her medical history?

I am almost certain that your situation had already been discussed with the nanny and she had given her consent for her history to be stated with you.

Totally depends if nanny was happy to share her story so that you would feel she may be sensitive to your situation.

Though tbh having cancer probably still not the same as sadly losing a loved one to it :(

I would give her a chance and ask if she had given her permission. I do hope your family find someone wonderful x

The sharing of a potential employees health details is not ok though.

Even if they have expressly given permission?

I'm sure the nanny gave her permission. if she didn't want it mentioned she wouldn't have told the agency herself.
I think YABU and a bit odd!!

I really don't see the problem.

It's a bit of a grey area though, the whole point is that disability shouldn't come into the job recruitment process.

I think that it well meant but misguided. If the nanny gave permission for the agency to share this information, then that is one thing. If not, then that is wrong.

As far as being sensitive to the situation - I wonder if her having had cancer would make her more sensitive? It means she knows what it is like to have a serious illness but not what it is like to be bereaved.

I also think that her having had first hand experience of cancer will make her a more suitable candidate.
Sorry to hear about your loss

I'm sorry for your loss OP, but I don't think the agency have done anything wrong. You asked for someone sympathetic to the trauma of cancer. They obviously have done some questioning of people on their books trying to find the best match and you can bet your bottom dollar the candidate wanted them to share this info with you, to increase their chances of being selected.

What would be bad, is them not giving her the details of/putting her forward for this job on the grounds that they thought it would be too upsetting for her/you - THAT would be discrimination

I don't see the problem at all but I understand you're obviously feeling really sensitive. I was following your long thread in here, so hope you're coping as well as can be.

I think you will find that even if you haven't signed a contract yet the agency will argue that they introduced her to you and will charge their fees if they find you've employed her. Rightly so too - they have introduced her. I think the disclosure of her previous health status is in line with discussions they will already have had with her. I wouldn't worry about it.

Actually thinking about it the only thing that would give me pause is that they've started screening candidates for you without getting your signature on their T&Cs. Normally agencies are pretty hot on that sort of thing. I'm wondering how efficient they are all round.

Hmmm. Ok. I will check with her if the agency had permission. I've tried to reply to their mail and get a bounce back anyway - not very impressive all round.