Asking questions about health at interview
Employers should be very wary of asking questions regarding a candidate’s health at interview. In general terms it is unlawful to ask questions about health. Although an individual has no right to pursue a specific claim of being asked health questions at interview, it can lead to a general claim of disability discrimination.
If you intend to ask questions at interview regarding health in advance of offering someone a post, those questions should only be asked if they relate to:-
- Whether the candidate can take part in any assessment
- Whether the candidate can carry out an intrinsic part of the job
- Whether the candidate has a disability which is an occupational requirement of the job
- Monitoring diversity
- Taking positive action in relation to disabled people
- Where there is a legal requirement to ask health
30 October 2025
Giles Woolfson
