Intrusive

Since my surgery in May, I have been in the social security system to receive income support and as part of that deal, I am required to apply for 20 jobs every month.

A huge number of the applications I make ask questions like:

Do you identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander?

Do you consider yourself to have a disability?  or Do you have any physical or psychological condition that may impact your ability to fulfil the requirements of the position?

Less often there is something like

Do you identify as male/ female/ other?

and once there was a question about sexuality. I can't remember the wording but I refused to answer.

I can only assume that HR departments are trying to tick diversity boxes when they ask these questions but I find them incredibly offensive. These questions are not appropriate at the time of an initial application and could be be used to discriminate against candidates.

Gender identity/ sexual preference/ trans status are surely things that a person will disclose if and when they feel safe to do so.

Disability questions asked under the guise of making suitable adjustments could be asked on the phone prior to interview.

I don't know if indigenous people have preferences about when or how to disclose that part of their identity but again, I don't think it is a question that should be asked on initial application.

I can also say that some organisations ask their questions more carefully and sensitively than others, with more attention to the language used.

I don't trust hiring managers to use these kinds of information in the right way and I'm sure I'm not the only one. I really think there are better ways to capture this kind of information but feel free to educate me if there is some genuine reason these questions need to be asked before anyone even decides to meet me.