Jobseeker back scan

By John Van Klaveren
A GEELONG abattoir running MRI tests on job applicants’ lower backs could be accused of discrimination, a Geelong lawyer has revealed.
Slater and Gordon’s Danny Connor said MC Herd rejected at least one candidate’s application based on an inconclusive MRI test.
Mr Connor said the pre-employment tests could discriminate against older workers without any injury or medical condition.
He said the testing was an abuse of the medical system, using expensive and intrusive procedures.
“Employers are using it to cull employees,” Mr Connor said.
“One applicant who was a plasterer for many years with no injuries was told he was a good candidate but had to go through a pre-employment medical.
“He was sent to a local clinic and subjected to an MRI of the lower back. The result said he had a degenerative process in his back, simply the product of his age.
“However, on hearing the news he panicked and thought he had a serious injury whereas he just has the back you would expect of a man in his 40s.
“He has been exposed to risk and radiology and has been discriminated against because of alleged problems.
“He’s no more likely to suffer injury than anyone else.”
Mr Connor said employers could stop bending and lifting through occupational health and safety procedures if they wanted to eliminate injury risks.
Reinvent Your Career manager Edwina Hodgkinson said including medical checks in employment processes was unusual without specific reasons.
“Using a variety of pre-employment tools makes sense from a business perspective but there is a grey line around some tests and their interpretation.”
MC Herd’s job application form states that applicants must undergo a medical examination including an MRI of the lower back.
“The MRI is a screening test used to support a diagnosis where it shows a potential weakness and its findings may not be consistent with clinical features,” the form says.
“If that occurs, it is company policy not to submit any person to the type of work mentioned in the position description.”
MC Herd managing director Frank Herd was unavailable for comment.