0816_TOEFL-Test-and-Score-Manual-1997

People ● 197
their jobs into what fits their interests or skills. It’s human nature to avoid
doing what we don’t want to do.
Take this opportunity to realign work flow and redefine what people
are supposed to be doing every day.
GREAT
Know What Not to Ask Job Applicants
When 100 small business owners were asked if they
IDEA
had ever asked a job applicant any of the following
questions during an interview, all of them said “yes.”
• Have you ever filed a workers’ compensation claim?
• Do you have any physical problems or injuries?
• How many sick days did you take off last year?
• Are you currently taking any medication?
• Have you ever been treated for drug abuse?
Actually, it’s illegal to ask applicants any of these questions, according
to my legal experts.
In addition to asking the wrong questions, small business owners
are also at risk when it comes to complying with the Americans with
Disabilities Act (ADA) and a zillion other employment-related laws. It
doesn’t matter that you are too busy to keep up with current regulations.
Ignorance of the law is no defense if a prospective employee decides to file
a complaint or sue you.
The best way to stay out of trouble during an interview is to stick to
questions relevant to the prospective employee’s ability to perform the
essential functions of the job—nothing more. You can ask about their
proficiency in a specific software program or whether they like to write
proposals.
Take a minute to ask your attorney to review your interview questions.
And if you don’t have a written employee manual outlining policies and
procedures, get busy. There are lots of fill-in-the-blank templates you can
buy to get you started.