When You Have a Medical Related Employment Gap

Recent events have made resume gaps more common. The impact of this is that potential employers are now more forgiving of recent gaps. This doesn't mean they won’t ask about them, however. We’ve previously offered tips for how to approach employment gaps when applying for work.

What do you do if your break from working was related to a medical issue?

This is where things can get tricky.

First and foremost, The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) reminds employees and job seekers that the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) has built-in protections for workers when it comes to their personal medical issues. The main thing to understand is that employers are not allowed to ask about your health or any disabilities you may have (visible or hidden).

Knowing that a potential employer will ask about gaps in your resume, you should be prepared to explain a medically related gap in a way that protects both you and the interviewer. Keep your explanation brief and positive.

“I took some time off to deal with a medical issue. Now that it’s resolved, I’m eager to get back to work.”

This should be enough to satisfy an interviewer. Should they ask about the nature of your illness or any long-term effects from said illness, this is a violation of the ADA protections. While you may not be comfortable pointing this out to them so directly, you can address their question indirectly without compromising your medical privacy.

“I am confident that the issues have been resolved and should not impact my ability to perform the job I’m applying for.”

If they try and press you further for specifics, it could be a red flag, and you should proceed with caution. Try your best to steer the conversation away from your medical issues and focus on what you can bring to the company.

“While I cannot be compelled to disclose the nature of the medical issues that led to my employment gap, I am happy to talk with you about what I did during that break that makes me a perfect fit for this job.”

Any pressure beyond this may warrant a complaint to the EEOC, especially if you feel this has impacted your chance at employment.

What can a potential employer ask about medical history?

In the most general terms, they can ask about your ability to perform the job and the tasks that may involve. Often you will see in job postings qualifications including “ability to lift and carry 25lbs or more,” “ability to stand for long periods of time,” or “perform repetitive motions.” 

As these functions could be essential to a job, an employer can ask if you are able to perform them. That’s it.

Some employers may require a medical exam as a condition of employment but can only do so once a job offer is made and only if it is asked of everyone who is offered that type of role. 

What if the gap was caring for an ill family member?

While not legally protected, you shouldn’t feel obligated to share more about a family care gap than you feel comfortable. 

“I took time off to help raise my family. Now that they are in school, I’m excited to focus on my career.”

“My parent took ill, and it fell to me to care for them. With their condition now managed, it’s time to give my career priority again.”

Whatever the case, use the interview to emphasize what you learned and how you grew as a result. Managing multiple schedules of a family or advocating for your ill relative can be skills that can be beneficial to a potential employer.

Ultimately, this is a very delicate topic, and it should be handled with sensitivity and honesty. Don’t attempt to hide it, but at the same time, don’t overshare.

However pure their intentions in asking, you should never feel forced to disclose protected medical information in order to get a job. If you are feeling pressured to divulge your medical history, it may be worth asking yourself one very important question:

“Is this a place I really want to work?”