Is it legal to ask about sickness record at interview?

[HarrogateMum]

Any HR specialists out there, maybe you can help me with this one. A colleague has informed me that they ask interviewees about how much sick time they have taken off in the last year - I'm not sure this is legal but he says it is. Any ideas?

Cripes, from the last time I had to deal with it all a few years ago now, it wasn't acceptable to ask at interview, however it was ok to ask on the application form?! bump from someone with more recent experience.

I googled it but couldnt find anything!

Yes, it's ok. You might run into discrimination issues if you decide not to offer someone a job based on sickness records alone though, because the person may have a poor sickness record as a result of a disability.

I went for an interview last year, and was asked who would have my children well I worked, and what wou;d happen if they were ill

arghhhh....while, not well

RibenaBerry I am really surprised at that, fair enough, I will let my colleague know. Thanks all!

Totaleclipse - that's awful. Bet they didn't ask the men that...

The job I'm in now I was asked at interview about sick leave - and had to admit I was on a month's sick leave at that time! Made no difference to the outcome though as I obviously got the job.

actually its sometimes fairer to ask about sick time, because you may be considered in spite of a poor record.eg i had 3 weeks off sick but it was entiely due to pregnancy complications, and not 21 odd days off becasue of a ahem "cold" or "stomach ache"

totaleclipse - they are defo not alllowed to ask that!

Not sure TBH. I know that they can ask about it on applications and on references though, so I guess they can probably ask about it in interviews - perhaps to give you a chance to answer any queries.

I am interested thouh as I have a shocking sick leve record at the moment following two ops, sunsequent treatment and days off with pain prior to the ops. So interested to know how I may be discriminated against if I go for a new job.

i wouldnt discriminate hula ,, your sick leave would be reasonable due to medical condition and op included in yuor sickness

I hope so

However most applications just ask for number of days off sick in the year, whih obviously looks dreadful (recently had just ver 4 months off, plus days prior to that) - and the applications never have anywhere to put downan explanation. Frustrating as my ops and treatment dhould have solved my meical condition, fingers crossed.

add an explanatory note for the absences...its all very transparent then

hula - yes. Don't let lack of a space put you off. Put in on the form or in a covering letter.

Completely legal and VCommon Public sector. some employees ask you to say how many days in 1 year.

you can discuss extenuating circumstances

it wont necessarily disbar you as they have to go on interview performance checklist. May trigger Occupational Health or Health status query prior to appointment.

Yes, they can ask. And they can ask your referee and in my job we had to complete a questionnaire about our health which, if we failed, meant we wouldn't get the job.