Cindy, 19, applied for a job at a nursing home as a nursing aide. She had previously

worked part-time as a kindergarten teacher's aide and had also cared for children with

mental and physical disabilities during her high school years. In her initial interview,

the assistant administrator told Cindy she was an ideal candidate and that she probably

would be hired.

She was given a pre-employment medical examination for her family doctor to

complete. He confirmed that she could meet the requirement of being able to lift

patients.

At a second meeting, the interviewer reviewed the completed medical form and

noticed Cindy's hand. During the initial interview, the assistant administrator had not

observed her left hand, on which the index, middle and ring fingers were much shorter

than those on most hands. Following this, the interviewer and another nursing director

spent much time discussing Cindy's disability and the job requirements. Even though

they both really wanted to hire Cindy, they didn't think she would be able to cope

with the gripping or clasping that is needed to lift patients.

Although Cindy said she could perform the duties and had done similar tasks in her

previous job with children with disabilities, she was not hired.

Group discussion questions

1. Did the interviewer have reasonable grounds to believe that Cindy could not do

the job?

2. On what basis did the interviewers assess that Cindy could not meet a bona

fide job requirement?

3. What do you think the interviewer and the nursing director should

have decided? What are your reasons?

**NEED PARAGRAPH ANSWERS AND PROOF FROM THE OHRC**