You should never ask anyone at work—be it a fellow employee, peer, manager, or anyone else in your organization—about any sort of underlying condition they may have.

Legal Implications

From an HR liability standpoint, asking someone if they have a certain condition is illegal and puts your company and organization in a very vulnerable spot. Under the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), it is prohibited for individuals to inquire if anyone has a disability or any other condition. This is why job applications include self-identifying surveys with options like "I have a disability," "Yes," "No," or "I do not wish to self-identify." These surveys are designed to protect individuals from having to disclose information they do not wish to share and to protect companies from liability.

Social Etiquette

As a general rule of thumb, you should never ask anyone in society if they have a certain condition. Humans often feel embarrassed or sensitive about certain conditions. Even if you suspect a friend has a condition, it is not appropriate to ask them about it. Conditions such as excessive perspiration, for example, are personal and should not be inquired about.

Workplace Accommodations

It is important to let individuals come to you if they need to discuss their conditions or require workplace accommodations. If someone is struggling with their workload or needs accommodations but hasn't asked for help, it is their responsibility to come forward. You should never ask if anyone has a certain condition.

Conclusion

Thank you for joining us for this video. Remember, always let the individual come to you regarding any underlying conditions or accommodations they may need.