Should Employers Screen Applicants for Problem Gambling Before Employment?

[ultrloa]

If their products is related with something useful or which can be called as collectors item then maybe its good to include the gambling addiction screen so that they can make sure that their employees is in good state of mind. Because sometimes having this issues is really a huge problem not only with the company but also with their fellow employee since those guys can disturb the harmonious workplace on the company.

[Porfirii]

If their products is related with something useful or which can be called as collectors item then maybe its good to include the gambling addiction screen so that they can make sure that their employees is in good state of mind. Because sometimes having this issues is really a huge problem not only with the company but also with their fellow employee since those guys can disturb the harmonious workplace on the company.

Maybe because of the risk of these collectibles ending up being stolen by the addict? I guess that in every business where, by definition, there will be some money or value attached, the risk is there. But the employer has not the right to ask about addictions in many jurisdictions, the same as asking for political/religious/ideological/sexual inclinations, or if you want to have a baby soon or not.

If they were involved in a crime then yes, but info only about gambling addiction with no crimes attached I don't think they can ask it.

[Gozie51]

I know of a very big betting house around my area. The employer only employs girls to work for him. He has close to about 10 girls as staff working for him and he made a young guy as the manager to be covering and run around for the affairs of the betting, to keep it going.
I think this might be one of the reasons for his taking such a decision of employing only girls cos he knows the dangers he might face in employing guys at times runs in the betting house

No employing only girls may not be the reason that he has done that to avoid his money used for gambling by his workers because this time around girls are getting more active in gambling and otherwise he shouldn't have employed a boy to be the manager. He may have his own reason but I don't think it is for the reason that we are discussing here. Remember women are discreet enough more than men so they can even hide all the traces that can link the owner to think they do bet behind him. I have witnessed a young girl working in a bet store and she bet secretly, when she wins she does the cash out from the boyfriend's account.

[Peanutswar]

I know of a very big betting house around my area. The employer only employs girls to work for him. He has close to about 10 girls as staff working for him and he made a young guy as the manager to be covering and run around for the affairs of the betting, to keep it going.
I think this might be one of the reasons for his taking such a decision of employing only girls cos he knows the dangers he might face in employing guys at times runs in the betting house

Most of the time the reason why the employers hire girls is they know the capability and loyalty of those and of course at the same time is to get easily a lot of customers because of the possible aesthetically pleasing appearance of them at the same time, but of course, it is good to have a balance thing in the work to make sure it is to be fair with the skill set requirement of the job they needed.

[BitcoinPanther]

I know of a very big betting house around my area. The employer only employs girls to work for him. He has close to about 10 girls as staff working for him and he made a young guy as the manager to be covering and run around for the affairs of the betting, to keep it going.
I think this might be one of the reasons for his taking such a decision of employing only girls cos he knows the dangers he might face in employing guys at times runs in the betting house

Most establishment hire girls especially teens that have a good figure to attract customers.  It is part of the marketing strategy of the owner.  I do not think that the reason why the girls are only hire is because of your stated reason.  Admit it or not, in an establishment dominated by guy clients, the best thing to attract them and return is to have something that interest them.  And this time the best lure is hiring girls to serve in the establishment.

I think it's important because this can cause job-related conflict in the future especially if an employee is really addicted to gambling. That doesn't mean that his not fit and needs to seek professional help first. If the interviewer would get to ask any gambling related questions, he should not ask them directly because it might offend the applicant. He should ask it in a good manner.

The reason for an interview is to get a bit of information from the personal background of the person.  So questions like addictions and stuff can be asked directly to the applicant, of course it can be asked in a rude manner or in a nice way.  This depends on the interviewer besides it is the applicant that needed the job while the employer have way more option to fill the job.

[Lucasgabd]

<..>

I don't think employers must ask such a thing unless the job description is related to finance. As long as the job description doesn't include the financial management of the company, I don't think asking about that private matter would be important. As long as the employee is providing a good service and gives his best performance at work, his gambling background doesn't have to be a big deal.

point is, a gambler addict, or alcoholic/drug addict wouldn't be able to manage finances well on a company, let's say?

food for thought

maybe they can have emotional control and some dose of escapism
some people will probably be able to separate work and personal life.

[wheelz1200]

I mean it's really difficult to screen for that but anything criminal will come out in any background check. Whether gbling related or not I think most reputable jobs will do a background check.  If I'm hiring someone with extensive gambling criminal history they ain't getting hired.

[dothebeats]

If their products is related with something useful or which can be called as collectors item then maybe its good to include the gambling addiction screen so that they can make sure that their employees is in good state of mind. Because sometimes having this issues is really a huge problem not only with the company but also with their fellow employee since those guys can disturb the harmonious workplace on the company.

So it's still a case-by-case basis, and most of the jobs around will surely not have these collector's item for their employees to guard. Again, this screening should only be present on jobs that need it, but for most jobs out there, why would you want to know what your employees do with their hard-earned money anyway? Or where do they spend their money for their entertainment? Gamblers are just like any other person occupied with their hobbies that they spend money on, so why should there be any need for prying that much?

[Botnake]

I don't like that idea. It's a clear violation of our privacy. It's unethical for me to ask that question to their applicants and used that as basis if they will accept that person or not. What if that person properly passed the initial interview that leads them to be qualify at the final interview.

If that question is being asked, these employers are already judging the book by its cover.

Refer to their performance later on, if they are not doing their properly their work, then take an action.

That's the reason there's a probation period for around 3-5 months at most, before upgrading the employee into regular status.

I agree, it's exactly wrong to ask applicants that type of question because definitely it has nothing to do with the job that they are trying to apply. Hence, if they passed all the interviews and they look fit for the job then they still needed to undergo a provisionary role (maximum of 6 months) first to see if he or she really fits to do the job before handing them the exact contract.

[Finestream]

I've applied for several jobs so far at different places and no one has asked me if I like gambling or anything like that. I only got questions about what my hobbies are and what I can do as other skills, it makes a lot more sense to me than anything else.

A trick question is what's bad about you, it's a gray question to tell them about all our bad behavior so far. So basically they don't ask if we gamble or not, but every company wants employees who are honest and well behaved both outside and in the workplace.

Even myself I have never been questioned about gambling addiction in my past employers. Although I won’t be surprised if they ask personal questions like that, but what they are often concerned are just my skills and capabilities and if I can be an asset to their company. However, with a lot of gamblers around whom some have already gambling problems, it’s not an offensive question if they want to know if you’re into gambling particularly if you are applying for a job that has something to do with money.

[abel1337]

I've applied for several jobs so far at different places and no one has asked me if I like gambling or anything like that. I only got questions about what my hobbies are and what I can do as other skills, it makes a lot more sense to me than anything else.

A trick question is what's bad about you, it's a gray question to tell them about all our bad behavior so far. So basically they don't ask if we gamble or not, but every company wants employees who are honest and well behaved both outside and in the workplace.

True, Employers wouldn't really ask straight questions about bad things about their applicants since they can't expect the applicants to answer honestly because it can affect their application to the job they are applying. They would just cover up with indirect questions that can reveal your bad behavior and history. I believe that there will be no employers asking the question of being an addict to their applicants unless they are on a gambling business.

[AakZaki]

every sector or every company in it there will certainly be some of them who gamble and go undetected. because they are more likely to cover up their gambling habits. Screening applicants whether they are gambling or not will be difficult to do, as they are good at covering it all up.
Even at first they didn't gamble but after work they started to gamble. This is also the result of various kinds of pressure from work or other problems, gambling is used as an outlet to relieve stress. especially now gambling is very easy to access, no need to come to the casino, just open the smartphone screen and visit gambling sites, everything can be accessed easily and payments are made easily and quickly. so there is no point in screening applicants to gamble or not. all will be caught third there are cases as described in this thread.

[Jemzx00]

If their products is related with something useful or which can be called as collectors item then maybe its good to include the gambling addiction screen so that they can make sure that their employees is in good state of mind. Because sometimes having this issues is really a huge problem not only with the company but also with their fellow employee since those guys can disturb the harmonious workplace on the company.

Nope, I kinda disagree with your opinion on this one. Other than if gambling would be a conflict of interest on the company, I see no other reason why a company would do a gambling screening to their employees and applicants.

There's already a background check being done for applicants and I think that would be enough as a screening for them. Also, not only gambling addiction could cause such an employee do such a thing against the company.

[Wakate]

If their products is related with something useful or which can be called as collectors item then maybe its good to include the gambling addiction screen so that they can make sure that their employees is in good state of mind. Because sometimes having this issues is really a huge problem not only with the company but also with their fellow employee since those guys can disturb the harmonious workplace on the company.

Even though employees do not have gambling addictions during the time of employment, this can be grown over time with consistent gambling activities of employees whereby they keep participating in gambling. Gambling is just like a spirit that can influence anyone with time if they keep friends that are always gambling every time or being in a place where there are frequent gambling activities.
I thing maybe it will be good for employers to screen workers to keep account of the nature of gambling urge. Everyone can falls being a victim of gambling addiction with time.

[Oasisman]

I mean it's really difficult to screen for that but anything criminal will come out in any background check. Whether gbling related or not I think most reputable jobs will do a background check.  If I'm hiring someone with extensive gambling criminal history they ain't getting hired.

I guess most applications includes paperworks from FBI or any police records.
Exhausting yourself in finding out on whether or not your applicant is a gambler or not maybe pointless.
That's his private and personal stuff anyway as long as it will not affect his performance and productivity then I guess all employers will be cool for that.
You can fire him eventually if you noticed a huge decline of his productivity because he's affected by his vices already anyway.

[Mahanton]

I mean it's really difficult to screen for that but anything criminal will come out in any background check. Whether gbling related or not I think most reputable jobs will do a background check.  If I'm hiring someone with extensive gambling criminal history they ain't getting hired.

I guess most applications includes paperworks from FBI or any police records.
Exhausting yourself in finding out on whether or not your applicant is a gambler or not maybe pointless.
That's his private and personal stuff anyway as long as it will not affect his performance and productivity then I guess all employers will be cool for that.
You can fire him eventually if you noticed a huge decline of his productivity because he's affected by his vices already anyway.

You could really make out some warnings first as an employer and not making out some immediate firing of employees just because of one mistake.Give them some chance and if the time that they do still failed out
on following on whats you had instructed or simply with those second chance then this is the time you would really be making out some ultimatum.Playing gambling or any hobbies on a particular person is really just
that a personal kind of thing.Whether you do engage yourself with gambling or not it wont really be their business.Its true that this would really be talking about productivity because this is the primary
concern on why we do hire up people on a company and not to make out some involvement or trying to get some personal intent on stirring up personal things on someones life.

[South Park]

If their products is related with something useful or which can be called as collectors item then maybe its good to include the gambling addiction screen so that they can make sure that their employees is in good state of mind. Because sometimes having this issues is really a huge problem not only with the company but also with their fellow employee since those guys can disturb the harmonious workplace on the company.

Even though employees do not have gambling addictions during the time of employment, this can be grown over time with consistent gambling activities of employees whereby they keep participating in gambling. Gambling is just like a spirit that can influence anyone with time if they keep friends that are always gambling every time or being in a place where there are frequent gambling activities.
I thing maybe it will be good for employers to screen workers to keep account of the nature of gambling urge. Everyone can falls being a victim of gambling addiction with time.

While it is true that anyone can fall into addiction, it is also true that people have different levels of susceptibility to it, there are many people which can gamble or drink alcohol in a responsible manner, however there is a minority that are unable to control their impulses and develop a self-destructive behavior when doing one of those two activities and they become addicted, it is because of this we need to always be alert and see if we are developing some problems dealing with our behavior when we are doing an activity which has bigger chances to produce that self-destructive behavior on people.

[Wakate]

Even though employees do not have gambling addictions during the time of employment, this can be grown over time with consistent gambling activities of employees whereby they keep participating in gambling. Gambling is just like a spirit that can influence anyone with time if they keep friends that are always gambling every time or being in a place where there are frequent gambling activities.
I thing maybe it will be good for employers to screen workers to keep account of the nature of gambling urge. Everyone can falls being a victim of gambling addiction with time.

While it is true that anyone can fall into addiction, it is also true that people have different levels of susceptibility to it, there are many people which can gamble or drink alcohol in a responsible manner, however there is a minority that are unable to control their impulses and develop a self-destructive behavior when doing one of those two activities and they become addicted, it is because of this we need to always be alert and see if we are developing some problems dealing with our behavior when we are doing an activity which has bigger chances to produce that self-destructive behavior on people.

Honestly it can be very hard for someone to know that they are quickly developing an habit that could pose a thread to our lives later on because bad habit is something we quickly become addicted to without much pressure. It can be easily noticed in others if they find a bad habit in us but can be difficult for us know that we are developing an addiction that could affect us later.

Everything depends on how we see it and we should always ensure that we screen our characters everytime to know when we are doing the wrong or right thing. You know that addiction can be difficult to leave if care is not taken

[serjent05]

I mean it's really difficult to screen for that but anything criminal will come out in any background check. Whether gbling related or not I think most reputable jobs will do a background check.  If I'm hiring someone with extensive gambling criminal history they ain't getting hired.

I guess most applications includes paperworks from FBI or any police records.
Exhausting yourself in finding out on whether or not your applicant is a gambler or not maybe pointless.
That's his private and personal stuff anyway as long as it will not affect his performance and productivity then I guess all employers will be cool for that.
You can fire him eventually if you noticed a huge decline of his productivity because he's affected by his vices already anyway.

Being a gambler is out of the question, he can get hired if he met all the requirements but if a person is found to be a gambling addict, then that is a different story.  Because being an addict already lost their control over themselves, thus, it will greatly affect their performance.  Though I agree that asking employee directly is somehow unethical but it can't be helped if the position needs a person who has no history of gambling addiction.  Else, if the position doesn't concern even a person is a gambling addict then there is no use in asking the applicant about his gambling  directly

[ultrloa]

If their products is related with something useful or which can be called as collectors item then maybe its good to include the gambling addiction screen so that they can make sure that their employees is in good state of mind. Because sometimes having this issues is really a huge problem not only with the company but also with their fellow employee since those guys can disturb the harmonious workplace on the company.

Maybe because of the risk of these collectibles ending up being stolen by the addict? I guess that in every business where, by definition, there will be some money or value attached, the risk is there. But the employer has not the right to ask about addictions in many jurisdictions, the same as asking for political/religious/ideological/sexual inclinations, or if you want to have a baby soon or not.

If they were involved in a crime then yes, but info only about gambling addiction with no crimes attached I don't think they can ask it.

Depends on certain conditions because if a person have bad habits which could lead to destruct something or create something bad ambience to your company then I think its the right for some employer to include this as their selections. Would not hire rather if a person have certain condition because its hard to trust those kind of people especially if they are addicted to much on gambling because we know they are capable to do bad things just to gamble.