AIBU to think this interview question was off?

[Watdidusay]

I'm interviewing for an NHS admin role (7c).

I disclosed in my application that I had dyspraxia and dyslexia as it asked about disabilities.

At interview today one of the panel brought up the dyslexia and dyspraxia, saying in their personal experience they often find people with these conditions also have ADHD and how can I be sure I will finish the projects I start.

I answered it well, I think, as I was able to reference my employment experience and what I'd delivered (completion of tasks has never really been a problem for me).

However something about the question seems a bit odd. I feel they made an assumption based on my disabilities and made it my job to defend my ability to work. If I was a standard interview question then I don't see why they had to reference my disabilities and assume there was a high chance I had ADHD and therefore can I focus. Why not just leave that out and ask if I can prove I see things through?

Is this normal for NHS interviews? Am I wrong to think it's a bit off?

Yes, I do think it is 'off.'
You have not been diagnosed with ADHD nor have you disclosed to them that you have it. The question is inappropriate.
I also think had you disclosed you had ADHD it is fairly discriminatory to assume you may not be able to complete tasks.

YANBU in the slightest. The question was totally inappropriate.

If someone asked me that at an interview, I'd complain to HR.

Omg!!!

Not acceptable. And the interviewee should be well aware of that given the diversity training NHS do!

Not sure how it works in the NHS but any jobs I’ve applied for ask about disabilities and other protected characteristics in a separate (anonymous) part of the application to monitor who they are reaching to apply. It should never be known to the interviewers.

This is appalling

I'd complain to their HR department. Absolutely outrageous- you were there for a job interview, not an ADHD diagnosis!

Bit odd it was brought up.
Usually questions are pre set and approved.
I wonder if there was a question on projects management and they stupidly mentioned your disabilities as well.

Yes, although is very small organisations this is a joke because they probably don't have enough people to separate them properly.

Well yes they asked you to explain why you wouldn’t be held back by a disability you don’t have and haven’t declared. Bizarre

That's a totally inappropriate question for so many reasons.

She's right that these conditioms are often found together. But everything else about her question is either wrong, discrimination or otherwise entirly bizarre.

As it happens I have diagnosed ADHD. I am absolutley brilliant at finishing projects and keeping on top of other admin. I love a deadline in particular as it gives me a massive dopamine hit.

(But don't ask how often I forget to put out the bins, lose house keys, don't feed the dog until he reminds me or leave the washing in the machine. Work and kids takes all my brain power)

Shocking line of questioning. Very discriminatory given I doubt they asked anyone else those questions. You've not been treated fairly there. They need to do some training on understanding ADHD too.

I would raise this with HR.

How many people were present?

Are dyspraxia and dyslexia regarded as disabilities?

This. We've always been told (large semi-public sector organisations) that the Equality etc form is only for monitoring purposes and isn't visible to the hiring manager or interview panel - they literally don't have access to it. Did you declare your disabilities just in that form, or somewhere else in the application?

That’s outrageous, and really stupid on their part - they could easily have asked a question about how you keep projects on track without reference to your disclosed disability or diagnosing you with a condition you don’t have.

I’d definitely complain to HR immediately. You’re not getting the job now anyway so I’d take it all the way.

Totally inappropriate for them to diagnose you and make assumptions

the only question they should ask regarding disabilities is whether you need any adjustments.

i don’t recommend disclosing until you are offered a job unless you need adjustments for interviews.

you should put in a complaint

This is what I’m wondering

Yes they are. (DH got a sit-stand desk because of it, lucky duck.)

That question is completely discriminatory, OP. Equal to questioning whether you could navigate your wheelchair around the halls to make it to your desk in time.

Horrifying that a presumably trained interviewer should ask something so inappropriate.
Find out if they'd be your line manager before accepting the job.

That's bizarre. It's ableist against those with ADHD to imply they are incapable of completing tasks. That's simply not true.

It's also ableist to 'diagnose' people with disabilities they do not have simply because they disclosed two separate unrelated disabilities. Based on meeting them for no more than a few minutes?!

They sound absolutely dreadful really.

Unacceptable. I'm so sorry this happened to you. I would report them

When we interview (clinical NHS) we have set questions and we only ask, and score, those. As PP have said, it would be reasonable to have a question we asked everyone that was about completing tasks. It wouldn't be reasonable to only ask someone who had disclosed a disability, and definitely not to suggest a diagnosis for you!

That isn’t relevant to the OP’s question - but yes, in some cases they are regarded as disabilities. They’re developmental and neurodivergent conditions and if an applicant feels their life is sufficiently affected then they can/should declare them as disabilities. They can certainly require reasonable adjustments under the Equality Act.

I’m dyspraxic and I don’t consider myself disabled but it’s perfectly valid for other people to declare their dyspraxia as a disability.