Guest guest Posted November 11, 2004 Report Share Posted November 11, 2004 Maybe I'm being paranoid or it's a bad day getting in the way of my judgments, but I went for a job interview today for a receptionist position at a broadcasting corporation. Firstly, the woman was ill prepared and couldn't remember what positions she even had open until I reminded her. That's not a big deal, the big deal is she totally brushed off my resume or any " normal " question while interviewing a candidate for a position in your company. She explained in the smallest details - from picking up a pen to turning off a computer - the job description. She asked me questions like, " can you pick up a paper from a box if the box is in the back room? " " can you ask people to sign a piece of paper on a clipboard? " " can you move yourself around the desk or does someone have to come help you when you need to move? " and " if the phone rings, do we have to pick it up or will you get it? " I felt very degraded by these questions. No other questions were asked besides ones related to my disability and how it interferes with my work. Yes, maybe some people that are disabled cannot do these things and maybe she's never dealt with the disabled community but there are SO MANY better ways to ask how my disability interferes - like, " have you come across situations in your previous positions where your disability defers immediate work? " I felt like a 6 year old being explained how to do a project over and over. I mean really...do I need help moving? DID SOMEONE GET ME FROM MY APARTMENT TO HER OFFICE OR DID I COME ROLLING ON IN ALL ALONE???? Is it not obvious? Can I pick up a pen????? No - I can't - that's how I didn't fill out and sign the goddamn application in front of your face! Am I blowing this out of proportion? I'm really worried now that my disability is going to affect her decision in hiring when I know that's illegal but goddamnit it happens and how can I prove that!? I mean, she didn't even ask about my previous work or my intentions at this job or my weaknesses and strengths or my goals in life. I should not be worried that I'm not a good candidate solely because I can't walk! And I should never feel like I'm a child in a professional setting!!! For gods sake, when it was over she said she'd give me a call and that I looked pretty. WHAT? I'M NOT 6! IM 21 YEARS OLD!!!!!! I've never experienced this in a professional setting before. I'm flabbergasted and uber upset. -Kendra Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 11, 2004 Report Share Posted November 11, 2004 Kendra, You have a right to be upset! I don't know the ada rules, but sounds like something can/should be done. Even if not legally and even if you do or don't get the job, maybe writing a letter/note to the lady and explaining how she could have handled the situation better? I have actually contacted intervewers after I didn't get a job and told them things they should have done in the interview/plant tour. One case I didn't think they were very professional and another was that the position they showed me wasn't what I was actually hired for. Gee.. the same thing that has happened to my current position... Later, Mike Briggs Photo Gallery: http://www.pbase.com/photogrif/ " Fish Gotta Swim, I Gotta Dive " Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 11, 2004 Report Share Posted November 11, 2004 Kendra, What a sucky thing to happen! The questions you were asked were illegal. Suggestions: 1 - Document everything while it's still fresh. 2 - I strongly urge you to bypass this woman and ask to speak with someone in HR promptly, before they hire someone else. They know the law, and they know how to conduct an interview fairly. Tell them you were asked discriminatory questions and that you'd like the opportunity to interview again with someone qualified to do the interview. Do this on the phone and in writing. 3 - Regardless of HR's response, contact the U.S. Department of Justice at http://www.usdoj.gov/disabilities.htm and ask them for assistance with mediation to insure you get a fair interview. 4 - Contact the U.S. Department of Justice at http://www.usdoj.gov/disabilities.htm and file a formal discrimination complaint. Keep us posted and don't let it get you down. You're not the problem, she is. In solidarity, Alana Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 19, 2004 Report Share Posted November 19, 2004 If this was your first interview, questions pertaining to the essential job functions should not have been brought up. Your first interview should have focused solely on the job itself. If at that point they decide you are their preferred candidate, then they have a right to ask questions pertaining to essential job functions. However, by the sound of it, she conducted an illegal interview where she would be making a selection decision based on your disability and not your knowledge, skills and abilities. work - feeling degraded Maybe I'm being paranoid or it's a bad day getting in the way of my judgments, but I went for a job interview today for a receptionist position at a broadcasting corporation. Firstly, the woman was ill prepared and couldn't remember what positions she even had open until I reminded her. That's not a big deal, the big deal is she totally brushed off my resume or any " normal " question while interviewing a candidate for a position in your company. She explained in the smallest details - from picking up a pen to turning off a computer - the job description. She asked me questions like, " can you pick up a paper from a box if the box is in the back room? " " can you ask people to sign a piece of paper on a clipboard? " " can you move yourself around the desk or does someone have to come help you when you need to move? " and " if the phone rings, do we have to pick it up or will you get it? " I felt very degraded by these questions. No other questions were asked besides ones related to my disability and how it interferes with my work. Yes, maybe some people that are disabled cannot do these things and maybe she's never dealt with the disabled community but there are SO MANY better ways to ask how my disability interferes - like, " have you come across situations in your previous positions where your disability defers immediate work? " I felt like a 6 year old being explained how to do a project over and over. I mean really...do I need help moving? DID SOMEONE GET ME FROM MY APARTMENT TO HER OFFICE OR DID I COME ROLLING ON IN ALL ALONE???? Is it not obvious? Can I pick up a pen????? No - I can't - that's how I didn't fill out and sign the goddamn application in front of your face! Am I blowing this out of proportion? I'm really worried now that my disability is going to affect her decision in hiring when I know that's illegal but goddamnit it happens and how can I prove that!? I mean, she didn't even ask about my previous work or my intentions at this job or my weaknesses and strengths or my goals in life. I should not be worried that I'm not a good candidate solely because I can't walk! And I should never feel like I'm a child in a professional setting!!! For gods sake, when it was over she said she'd give me a call and that I looked pretty. WHAT? I'M NOT 6! IM 21 YEARS OLD!!!!!! I've never experienced this in a professional setting before. I'm flabbergasted and uber upset. -Kendra A FEW RULES * The list members come from many backgrounds, ages and beliefs So all members most be tolerant and respectful to all members. * Some adult language and topics (like sexual health, swearing..) may occur occasionally in emails. Over use of inappropriate language will not be allowed. If your under 16 ask your parents/gaurdian before you join the list. * No SPAMMING or sending numerous emails unrelated to the topics of spinal muscular atrophy, health, and the daily issues of the disabled. Post message: Subscribe: -subscribe Unsubscribe: -unsubscribe List manager: (Sexy Mature Artist) Email: Esma1999@... oogroups.com List manager: (Sexy Mature Artist) Email: Esma1999@... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 19, 2004 Report Share Posted November 19, 2004 Actually, essential job functions are exactly what they're supposed to address. If the job is to be a receptionist answering phones and greeting ppl, then they should ask a disabled candidate the same questions they'd ask any other candidate - " Tell us about your experience answering phones (an essential job function). " " What best qualifies you to be the 1st person our customers meet(an essential job function)? " " Can you hold a pencil? " & " What would you do if the paper runs out in the copy machine? " do not address essential functions of a job unless the job is essentially filling out forms that must be in pencil or a job in which the essential duty is operating a copy machine. One must be able to perform the essential functions of a job with or without accommodation. The only legal disability-related question that can be asked in an interview is, " Will you need any accommodations in order to perform the essential functions of the job? " , and only if they ask everybody. At 02:33 PM 11/19/2004, you wrote: >If this was your first interview, questions pertaining to the essential >job functions should not have been brought up. Your first interview >should have focused solely on the job itself. If at that point they >decide you are their preferred candidate, then they have a right to ask >questions pertaining to essential job functions. However, by the sound of >it, she conducted an illegal interview where she would be making a >selection decision based on your disability and not your knowledge, skills >and abilities. > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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