I am a recent college graduate currently looking for my first career job. In most of the applications I have submitted there is a question that asks if you have any disabilities, and it lists OCD. I was just curious if anyone has experience with this, and how they answer this question. Has anyone experienced discrimination because of their OCD, any positive interactions? Is this just another tactic employers use to try and narrow down the applicant pool?

Employers can’t discriminate based on how you answer the questions of your gender, race and if you have a disability. That is also not the intended purpose of asking these questions and it should not be a part of your application. You can answer it however you wish or you can choose “I do not wish to answer” if you so choose to do so. Good luck with the job search btw, wish you well!

Thank you!

Huh, this never occurred to me! I wonder what you’d put if you were in remission...

Im SUPER curious! I kinda wanna google it ?

What I chose to do because I still felt the stigma was to answer all the questions honestly but when it got to mental health to let them know I have had past experience with anxiety and depression but is well controlled with the use of medication. I didn’t go into detail or tell them my diagnosis because I felt personally that was not their business and if they chose to ask me follow up questions then I could decide if I wanted to share. They never did.

Do you mind if I ask what the position is that would be asking you those questions?

Typically that part of the application is suppose to anonymous. The employer shouldn’t get the name it belongs to, because typically it just helps them know who’s working for them. Sometimes they get certain subsidies or “rewards” for hiring someone with a “disability.” That being said, on most applications I’ve filled out that section is optional. But if it isn’t I feel you can do whatever your comfortable with. Sometimes I put it, sometimes I don’t, it depends on if I feel they REALLY need to know.

Yeah, I guess I just wasn’t sure if they used the information against you because I have been seeing this in the initial application process, not like after you get a job. I have been applying for jobs in the creative field, but don’t recall seeing this on other job applications for retail jobs, or recall seeing OCD listed specifically. Sorry for the silly question, I was just curious I guess.

I have dealt with this, I did a couple Americorps programs were they ask you some questions about your health on a med form on file and ask you to be honest. The job I was doing was a bit unusual so it made sense to ask these questions because it was physical job, required travel and adapting to various unknown circumstances without any for warning.

This position is for a Graphic Designer, and I see it on about every application in this career field. It isn’t part of a medical form like during the on boarding process but one of the questions on the initial application where you attach your resume and all that. I guess I just wasn’t sure what they do with the information, or how they receive it. In my opinion it is kind of none of their business because the kind of OCD I have affects me mainly at home, and it doesn’t get in the way with my work flow. It’s just hard because it is s competitive field and I don’t want to be labeled. Makes me feel better if that part of the application is anonymous. Thanks for all the information everyone!