In a recent video panel interview, (3 SMEs + 1 Talent Acq.), the last question I was asked (by the TA/HR person:

Anonymous

May 7,2022 at 2:42AM UTC

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In a recent video panel interview, (3 SMEs + 1 Talent Acq.), the last question I was asked (by the TA/HR person:

"Will you require any accommodations?"

I was floored. Usually this is a form one fills out in an application.

To me, it seemed completely inappropriate to ask that question on video, in front of a panel, none of whom would have been my manager.

Am I being overly sensitive?

(BTW I answered no. Wish I'd pushed back.

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AnonymousMay 7,2022 at 5:37PM UTC
That seems strange. Definitely!
is the TA/HR new(ish) in her role?
If you pushed back, what would you have said? I am curious
AnonymousMay 11,2022 at 3:33AM UTC
Good thought! I can't be sure how new to recruiting he was, though he looked to be in his 50's. It's a 100+ year old company.
I think if I were not so taken aback, I might have asked whether we could discuss it after the interview. Who knows?
JYJMay 9,2022 at 12:50PM UTC
Wow. That is wildly inappropriate and most definitely should not have been asked in front of a panel! That is a topic that stays between you, HR and potentially the hiring manager. Is their HR person new to HR?
AnonymousMay 11,2022 at 3:30AM UTC
Good thought! I can't be sure how new to recruiting he was, though he looked to be in his 50's. It's a 100+ year old company.
Christy K. HanthornMay 9,2022 at 1:12PM UTC
I can't tell you (or anyone else) how to feel, but perhaps they are trying to lessen the stigma. Maybe it's their way of saying that needing accommodation is nothing to be ashamed of, and you should ask freely. I've never been asked in any way, shape, or form.
AnonymousMay 11,2022 at 3:27AM UTC
That's an interesting idea. Perhaps!
Melissa DawnMay 9,2022 at 2:06PM UTC
I wonder what type of accommodations they would mean. Maybe a later start date? Maybe they didnt mean something more HR sensitive?
Still an odd questions...
AnonymousMay 11,2022 at 3:42AM UTC
Yeah, it's been the last few years that companies ask whether an applicant has any conditions that might interfere with doing their job. It's usually on a form where they give examples such as PTSD, depression, anxiety, light sensitivity, and other medical conditions. I'm not an HR person, so I don't know all the ins and outs, but companies don't want to appear to discriminate against people who might have one of these conditions, but with some environmental or other supports, could do the job. I worked somewhere where there was someone on our floor who was extremely sensitive/allergic to mint. We were not supposed to use any kind of mint (toothpaste, gum, liniment, etc.) on the floor. She could do her job just fine otherwise. Pretty cool!
AlexisMay 9,2022 at 4:49PM UTC
That's a pretty borderline question - if I worked in HR for that company, I would reword that question :
Can you perform the essential functions of this job with or without are reasonable accommodation?
-----------------OR-----------------------------------------------
Please describe or demonstrate how you would perform the essential functions of this job.
It definitely is worded inappropriately and I imagine I would have been taken aback as well!
AnonymousMay 11,2022 at 3:26AM UTC
Thank you for the response - The way you word it is much better.
I'm not sure I'd feel any better about answering it in front of 4 strangers though.