Utah General Contractors - Business and Law Practice Exam

Under the Americans with Disabilities Act, what can employers ask applicants to demonstrate?

1. Medical history and medications

2. Job-related function performance

3. Contact details of previous employers

4. Criminal history

The correct answer is: Job-related function performance

Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), employers are permitted to ask applicants to demonstrate job-related function performance. This means that employers can inquire about an applicant's ability to perform essential job functions, thereby ensuring that they are appropriately assessing the candidates’ qualifications for the position in a manner that is compliant with the law. The ADA emphasizes the need for equal opportunity and prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities. Consequently, employers should focus on an applicant's ability to perform tasks related to the job rather than seeking information that could disclose a disability prematurely. The other options involve inquiries that could be problematic under the ADA. For instance, asking about medical history and medications could reveal disabilities and result in discriminatory practices. Contact details of previous employers is a normal aspect of the hiring process but does not relate to assessing capabilities under job-related functions. Questions about criminal history, while sometimes relevant, can also lead to potential discrimination depending on the specific circumstances of the applicant and the relevance to the job in question.