To request online interview as a reasonable adjustment

bluecogturning · 2023-04-13T19:47:44+00:00

I experience mental health issues (for which I've been prescribed medication and go to counselling) and am wondering if it would be reasonable for me to ask if it would be possible for me to attend a job interview via Teams or Zoom. In-person interviews cause me a lot of anxiety in an environment I am not familiar with, whereas I feel more comfortable and can give a much better representation of my ability when I can be in my own home during an interview. On three previous occasions I have been offered the job when interviews were conducted remotely, and I have been less successful during onsite interviews. However, in the past it has always been the employer that has specified the remote interview format and I don't know if as the applicant I would be within my rights to request a remote interview when this time the employer would otherwise conduct the interview in person.

UnsolicitedOpinions · 13/04/2023 20:50

Is the job a wfh job? If so, I guess it could be ok to ask.

If not, then I think you will have a hard time explaining how you would be able to come into work when you can’t bring yourself to come in for an interview.

Gymmum82 · 13/04/2023 20:51

You can ask. At my place of work you would be disadvantaged against those who attended in person

mynameiscalypso · 13/04/2023 20:52

I think you can request it for sure but I'd worry that it would be held against you. It shouldn't, clearly, but it would inevitably make the interviewer wonder whether you'd be able to cope under pressure. For what it's worth, at my organisation, we generally insist that all candidates have the same experience (either all online or all face to face) to make it as fair as possible.

TooOldForThisNonsense · 13/04/2023 20:53

Definitely ask

DisforDarkChocolate · 13/04/2023 20:53

Is it not already online, I've only had one face-to-face interview in the last 2 years. All the rest have been online.

Singleandproud · 13/04/2023 20:55

At my workplace you would not be disadvantaged, you could also ask for the interview questions to be sent to yourself and other candidates 2 hours in advance.

If a workplace is unwilling to make reasonable adjustments at interview stage then they probably aren't the right employer for you going forward.

JMSA · 13/04/2023 20:57

I definitely wouldn't. It would mark me out as being awkward before I've even started.
Good luck with it though.

Yellowrosesmakemehappy · 13/04/2023 20:57

Do you need to be present in the office for your actual job and does it involve dealing with stakeholders face to face and presentations?

I would push myself to do it if I’m being honest, I always think you should appease the interviewer as much as you can and not rock the boat.

Bao · 13/04/2023 20:59

You'd surely be disadvantaged as a minimum due to the rapport they'd be able to build with other candidates which is more difficult remotely?

CC4712 · 13/04/2023 21:02

Would the job be solely WFH or office based?

Shortpoet · 13/04/2023 21:03

Singleandproud · 13/04/2023 20:55

At my workplace you would not be disadvantaged, you could also ask for the interview questions to be sent to yourself and other candidates 2 hours in advance.

If a workplace is unwilling to make reasonable adjustments at interview stage then they probably aren't the right employer for you going forward.

Ditto for my workplace.
Global company and have just issued guidance such as the above where candidates need adjustments so they can perform at their best.

RhubarbCrumbled · 13/04/2023 21:09

I've done lots of recruitment over many years. It depends on what's required in the job. If you're working from home then a request for a remote interview would be fine as the interview is basically in your place of work.
If it's a job where you need to be 'at the office' everyday then it would concern me if you asked for this adjustment. If you can't get in for the interview then how will you cope with getting to work every day?
Interviews aren't just about how you answer the questions, every aspect of your interaction with the company will be assessed.

AliceTheeCamel · 13/04/2023 21:14

Singleandproud · 13/04/2023 20:55

At my workplace you would not be disadvantaged, you could also ask for the interview questions to be sent to yourself and other candidates 2 hours in advance.

If a workplace is unwilling to make reasonable adjustments at interview stage then they probably aren't the right employer for you going forward.

I agree with this.

That said, where I work they are still desperately trying to get people back into the office more post- Covid. The concern would be that if you didn't want to attend the office location for the interview, do you want to attend the office at all or do you really just want to WFH?

Depends on the role you are applying for though.

Original poster

bluecogturning · 13/04/2023 21:18

The interview for my current job took place online, but I attend the office everyday for the job itself with no issues. I work in a customer-facing role so am dealing with people and the public day in day out.

It's simply that the interview context causes me additional anxiety as I need to sell myself to strangers that I have never met before in an unfamiliar environment. By its very nature I am being scrutinised and judged. As a result I find it difficult to concentrate and to perform to the best of my ability specifically in an interview context.

OP posts:

ScribblingAlways · 13/04/2023 21:24

Surely that’s just a normal reaction to an interview, I wouldn’t ask on those grounds. I would refuse that adjustment if asked

JMSA · 13/04/2023 21:32

bluecogturning · 13/04/2023 21:18

The interview for my current job took place online, but I attend the office everyday for the job itself with no issues. I work in a customer-facing role so am dealing with people and the public day in day out.

It's simply that the interview context causes me additional anxiety as I need to sell myself to strangers that I have never met before in an unfamiliar environment. By its very nature I am being scrutinised and judged. As a result I find it difficult to concentrate and to perform to the best of my ability specifically in an interview context.

But the vast majority of people find interviews angst-inducing. It's just something you go through.

TeenLifeMum · 13/04/2023 21:37

don't interviews in person feel more anxious for everyone? That’s surely the normal emotion most people have. If it’s a wfh job then maybe ask but otherwise it raised big red flags that you’ll be a difficult employee. Mh shouldn’t go against you but it does - I’m currently doing all I can to avoid being sign off sick due to work related stress but I know it’ll harm me in my future career (and that sucks).

rainyskylight · 13/04/2023 21:41

It's simply that the interview context causes me additional anxiety as I need to sell myself to strangers that I have never met before in an unfamiliar environment. By its very nature I am being scrutinised and judged. As a result I find it difficult to concentrate and to perform to the best of my ability specifically in an interview context.

Uh. This is basically just a description of a normal interview experience.

Flossiemoss · 13/04/2023 21:42

ScribblingAlways · 13/04/2023 21:24

Surely that’s just a normal reaction to an interview, I wouldn’t ask on those grounds. I would refuse that adjustment if asked

Same.
plus it’s a people facing job so I would want to see your people skills in person.

it is normal to feel nervous and scrutinised- however if they are decent to work for they should also want to put you at ease to bring the best out in you. You are also interviewing them remember.

drpet49 · 13/04/2023 21:42

UnsolicitedOpinions · 13/04/2023 20:50

Is the job a wfh job? If so, I guess it could be ok to ask.

If not, then I think you will have a hard time explaining how you would be able to come into work when you can’t bring yourself to come in for an interview.

This.

AnuSTart · 13/04/2023 21:42

I'm sorry OP, I agree with the pps, there's not a person alive (or very very few) who aren't anxious before interviews and nervous during. If you will need to work with the public then you need to prepare yourself as much as you can and get it done. The only way out is through. For sure you can ask, but if it were me (and I interview a lot) it would make me question your coping mechanisms and ability to face challenges.

EarringsandLipstick · 13/04/2023 21:58

RhubarbCrumbled · 13/04/2023 21:09

I've done lots of recruitment over many years. It depends on what's required in the job. If you're working from home then a request for a remote interview would be fine as the interview is basically in your place of work.
If it's a job where you need to be 'at the office' everyday then it would concern me if you asked for this adjustment. If you can't get in for the interview then how will you cope with getting to work every day?
Interviews aren't just about how you answer the questions, every aspect of your interaction with the company will be assessed.

That's an excellent reply and my view too.

I would make any reasonable adjustment that I could for an interviewee.

However, if attending an interview in person is a challenge, many other elements of a standard role might be too, unfortunately. .

bumpytrumpy · 13/04/2023 22:13

AnuSTart · 13/04/2023 21:42

I'm sorry OP, I agree with the pps, there's not a person alive (or very very few) who aren't anxious before interviews and nervous during. If you will need to work with the public then you need to prepare yourself as much as you can and get it done. The only way out is through. For sure you can ask, but if it were me (and I interview a lot) it would make me question your coping mechanisms and ability to face challenges.

Yes this.

I think a lot of this depends on the role. You might be talking about a low pressure low skilled minimum wage job that they're struggling to fill. In which case you might get away with it if they're basically looking for any willing warm body to take the role.

Anything more competitive and you're putting yourself at a disadvantage as it's easy for them to think you wouldn't cope with the role. No way would you get the job in my hands.

Singleandproud · 13/04/2023 22:30

I think if you are likely to need support for your MH going forward asking for those types of reasonable adjustments are a good way to weed out the ones that are supportive and those that will try and get rid of you when you need help. Some organisations are working really hard to support people with MH difficulties, neuro diverse, or other disabilities and those adjustments won't impact their view of you. Mine is one of these, staff wellbeing is at the forefront of everything they do because unhappy staff means more recruitment, increased loss of skills and experience and whilst there are issues with the org it certainly isn't to do with the working conditions or the inclusivity.
In my workplace success at interview is purely based on your capability, you could be at home, in the office or on the moon as long as you answer the questions the best you would get the job.

Original poster

bluecogturning · 13/04/2023 22:32

Totally agree that 99% of people are going to feel anxious and nervous before and during an interview. My point is not that I want to completely eliminate all anxiety. I would still feel nervous even with an online interview.

I am simply considering what adjustments could be made to bring the anxiety levels I would experience back within a tolerable window, the levels anyone would experience, so that I am not disadvantaged when it comes to getting a shot at a job I am capable of. My GP has prescribed me medicine for anxiety-related mental health issues (which I've had for 3+ years), so I don't think my experience is simply what everyone experiences.

OP posts: