Jul
I am bipolar and I’m worried about this. I am trying to get a job and have an interview, but I've been told a psych assessment is part of the job screening process. Is this common? Should I be up front about my mental history or try to hide it?
I can see how mental clarity can effect job performance, but at the same time I’m worried I will be discriminated against because of my history so I’m thinking about not disclosing that if they ask as part of this psych assessment. Isn't it wrong to discriminate based on disability according to the americans with disability act? So should I try to be honest or try fake it through? What can I anticipate them to ask me? Any advice?
Answer:
1. very FEW employers do a psych evaluation for pre-employment
2. it is not discrimination if the job decision is based on the capability to perform the essential functions of the job
3. to actually gain protection from the ADA you must let the employer know about the condition, then ADA protects you.
if you have a condition that will effect your ability but with “reasonable accommodation” you can do the job then ADA requires that the reasonable accommodation be made to assist you. if you can do the job without accommodation then it is not necessary to inform the employer. if you feel at any time your condition could effect your capability it is better to let the employer know, they can not use that info to deny you employment and their knowledge will make it possible for you to have a fruitful, safe working relationship.
Answer:
I guess it depends on how well its controlled and whether or not you think its going to show up on a background check. I mean, if you're considering working it must be at least fairly controlled. But, in my experience, you pretty much have to encounter as non-threatening as possible. A lot of jobs I applied for we had to take a personality test, and I was dead honest with the answers, you know, that I got nervous in social situations, didn't really like people, preferred working alone, never got a call back. Then, I just wrote in what I thought they wanted to hear, and I got a call that week and got the job. I mean, if you think you've got it under control and that its not going to show up on a background check I would leave it alone. The job market is so tough and competitive these days that you can't afford to have anything like that hold you back. Book Mark it-> del.icio.us | Reddit | Slashdot | Digg | Facebook | Technorati | Google | StumbleUpon | Window Live | Tailrank | Furl | Netscape | Yahoo | BlinkList