During a job interview an employer is only allowed to ask questions which relate to the function you are applying for. He shouldn’t ask questions relating to your private life or your health.
Job interview questions relating to private matters
An employer shouldn’t ask you questions relating to private matters such as family circumstances or whether or not you would like to start a family.
Job interview questions relating to your health
The employer is not allowed to ask you about your health or your former job sick leave history. Questions relating to your health are only permitted to be asked during employment physical examinations. This employment physical examination is only permitted to be implemented for certain positions. Should a physical examination be necessary, then this should be mentioned in the job description.
In certain cases you will have to disclose information on our health to the employer during the application procedure. This obligation to report is only in place if your medical condition could lead to problems in your work. Pregnancy does not have to be disclosed.
Establishing suitability for the position
Your employer is however allowed to determine whether or not you are suitable for the position without asking you about your health. He or she could do so by clearly describing the job requirements and consequently asking you if you will be capable of performing these duties.
Several questions an employer is allowed to ask:
Administrative personnel will have to sit at a desk for a long time. Will you be able to work at a desk for two hours on end without a break?
Call centre personnel will have to be able to read documents on a computer monitor. Will you be able to work using a computer monitor for a large part of the day?
A truck driver will have to be behind the wheel for a long time (as long as four hours on end) without stopping. Will you be able to do that?
Working in the service industry, you will have to be able to stand for long periods (four hours) of time. Will you be able to do this without having to sit down?
Refusing to answer
If, during your interview, you are asked about your private life or health conditions, then you will be under no obligation to answer these questions.