Lying to Employers about Bipolar

I recently got an internship and a work-study job in San Francisco. Then they began to ask questions about my past mental health and whether I have been in a psychiatric hospital in the past. I hate lying, so I told the truth. Both the internship and the work-study job just got back to me and told me they've decided I'm no longer the best candidate. I know it's because I have Bipolar Disorder.
I'm thinking of lying about my illness in the future. I'll probably pretend I have no history of mental illness. Has anyone else done that? Were there any negative repercussions?
Thanks!

I don't think that questions about ones mental health is appropriate for a job interview. Because the only job I have held in a long time is with a family business I have never faced this dilemma. Here is a link though about what things employers should not ask:
http://blogs.findlaw.com/law_and_lif...interview.html

Sorry about the opportunity falling through for you, I hope you find something even better soon.

I hope that link up there helps. If it came to a choice between getting a job/lying or telling the truth about MI... I wouldn't hesitate to lie.

Thanks! I'll keep that in mind. Now I don't really have to worry about other employment opportunities. I just don't have to tell them.

I remember Spock from "Star Trek" saying one time that "keeping the truth to yourself is not lying"! Alas, mental illnesses are still a big stigma. I don't even like doctors like orthopedists asking me about any mental illnesses. Why should that matter if they are just treating a knee problem?!

If it is just an internship then don't bother lying - unless this is something you think will be your career. I want the best for you. Your mental health has NOTHING to do with your ability to achieve your dreams. If your heart says this is what you have to do then do ANYTHING that you have to do.

- A

Unless you are claiming disability it's my understanding that they legally are not allowed to ask you about your health. If they did indeed reject you just because of bipolar then it is discrimination.

Lie, lie, lie. Whenever I have told jobs about my bipolar, I have either lost the job or not gotten the job. When I lie and deny any and all psychiatric problems/diagnoses, I have no problem getting a job. There is no reason why they need to know about your mental health. They just ask so that they can weed us out and not have to deal with us. Their is so much prejudice and discrimination out there. Besides, if you tell too many companies in your field, the word may get around that you have mental issues and future possible employers may find out without you even telling them. Please be careful who you tell and good luck!

An employer cannot ask questions about your medical or psychiatric history during an interview.

(ADA, DOJ)

http://www.justice.gov/publications/resources.html

If they do, that is definitely not the right place for you. Unless you are applying for a position with the gov and then anything goes

Payne, I used to feel the same way, until a nurse explained to me that it's part of taking a comprehensive medical history. Docs need to know what meds patients are taking to avoid problems. They need to know ALL of our medical problems.

What frosts my backside is when the doc is going over my history, gets to "depression" and his/her whole demeanor towards me changes like I'm some nutcase. On the flipside, I respect a doctor who respectfully asks about the depression along with the laundry list of other medical problems I have.

There's no reason why an employer should have asked you that. I pretty much thought it was illegal. I wish you could have told them that that was your personal business and it was inappropriate for them to ask, but that still probably would have reflected poorly on you.

So yeah, lie.

It is absolutely inappropriate to ask such personal questions. In addition to the fact that it is illegal to not hire someone on the basis of a disability. If you have legitimate concerns about the company not hiring based on a disability, you need to approach the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in your area. Another law that protects you from this is the American Disability Act.
In the future, if a potential employer asks you about any mental health issues, politely decline to answer based on the fact that regardless of the answer you give that you are protected by federal law.

I think hiding your illness is absolutely acceptable. Once you are hired, you may eventually find a coworker you can trust to whom you can disclose being bipolar. I had someone like this and it really helped having someone look out for me when I was down.

Asking about your health conditions is illegal in a job interview in the United States. The next time an employer asks you such a question ask them why they are trying to ask you illegal questions. The only exceptions are jobs that require special security clearances or the use of firearms. But you would know if you were applying for such a job already.

I'm sorry that you were discriminated against. I'm wondering if they found references to your illness on a Facebook page or something like that and went digging.

I would never ever ever disclose my bipolar to anyone unless I was legally required. I don't want to hear about my coworkers hemorrhoids and I am sure they don't want to hear about my mania!

I just recently received an offer for a new job and the thing that worried me was that I was told that Gabapentin, which I use as a mood stabilizer could create a false positive in a drug screening. I told the H.R. rep of my concerns beforehand and she told me, by law, they couldn't ask me why I was taking it as long as it's a legalized drug and I had a prescription.