this post was submitted on 11 Jun 2025
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If an employer wanted to do a background check what would be the limits? Like would they have access to your medical history? and if so as someone with ASPD this would be a huge problem.

I work in entertainment so it wouldn't really affect anything but still. Being a literal sociopath isn't a good look. That's why I haven't told anyone irl. It wouldn't look good to an employer. Could it hold me back? And if so is there anyway I can withhold such information?

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[–] etchinghillside@reddthat.com 17 points 2 days ago (1 children)

In the US. I believe the most invasive they can get is a credit check. (With your permission.) They will also call past employers to confirm years of employment and maybe check if you are eligible for rehiring.

Certainly not medical history.

We’re also assuming anything that shows up on the internet about you is fair game for a manager or HR person when making a hiring decision.

[–] Stovetop@lemmy.world 4 points 2 days ago

Some jobs (usually ones that are physically demanding/strenuous/require fitness) might have new hires undergo a health screening, though. Don't want to be sending someone to do underwater welding who suffers from respiratory issues, for example.

But in terms of history, you're right, absolutely not. If it's something that might just be sensitive/embarrassing but isn't part of the job description, it's none of their business.

[–] FeelzGoodMan420@eviltoast.org 17 points 2 days ago (1 children)

Employer background checks won't show medical history, at least for the Private Sector.

[–] umbrella@lemmy.ml 2 points 1 day ago (1 children)

medical data is sometimes sold to employers

[–] Appoxo@lemmy.dbzer0.com 1 points 1 day ago

Another day I am happy to not be living in the US.

[–] solrize@lemmy.ml 3 points 1 day ago

Normal employment background check only looks for criminal convictions.

[–] redlemace@lemmy.world 10 points 2 days ago

In most countries they are not allowed to access medical records of any kind (read it's illegal). If the job requires it they can required to be tested "fit for the job". Even though they pay for that they only get a yes or no but no specifics

[–] FoxyFerengi@startrek.website 3 points 2 days ago (1 children)

My therapist told me that a diagnosis of a mental health disorder means you have a disability*. So if they choose not to hire you because of your ASPD diagnosis, in the US at least, that's discrimination against a protected class. I have AvPD, and that was a concern for me too

*(although many disorders don't always earn the label "disability" when a person is seeking benefits)

[–] mic_check_one_two@lemmy.dbzer0.com 6 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago) (2 children)

Yeah, but good luck proving that. My partner is disabled, and has learned to avoid disclosing her disability until after she gets hired. Because if she mentions it during the interview process, she’ll get ghosted every time.

Proving it usually requires proving a pattern of behavior. And as an individual applicant who isn’t in touch with the other applicants (both past and present), that’s basically impossible to do.

[–] FoxyFerengi@startrek.website 1 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago)

Oh, yeah. I didn't mean to imply that getting a job with a disability is easy or that employers actually follow laws. I was more trying to point out that a personality disorder is a disability, because most people won't see it that way

[–] POTOOOOOOOO@reddthat.com 3 points 2 days ago

I worried about that myself. I have a lot of baggage but I look at it like this; if they were so picky like that, I would not want to work for them anyway. Don't stress it, seriously.

[–] zweieuro@lemmy.world 3 points 2 days ago

Depends on your country and the law. In the EU AFAIK this would be classified as medical and illegal to query without your consent. And I've never heard of anyone who isn't a doctor getting such a request.

Doctors usually get a 'required to be vaccinated' thingy, but else? Never heard of it.