Internet allergy causes HR concern

Reports in the UK have surfaced which, if found true, could prove to be a major headache for HR executives and recruiters alike.

According to reports, a British DJ by the name of Steve Miller has claimed he has a medical condition that he defines as being "allergic to the Internet". It may sounds implausible, but Miller isn't alone. In fact, according to one study by British newspaper the Daily Mail, two percent of the population claim to suffer from the condition, which professionals are referring to as "electronmagnetic sensitivity."

It causes sufferers to feel dizziness, nausea and a feeling of confusion whenever they are close to a WiFi signal. In fact, Miller has complained to missing several important DJ-ing gigs across the EU because hotels, airports and trainms offering wireless internet access affect his condition.

The condition is not just affecting the UK though, as a group of residents in Santa Fe, New Mexico, last year asked the city to remove WiFi from public buildings. Residents claimed they too, like Miller, were allergic to the frequencies and that Santa Fe authorities were violating the Americans with Diabilities Act by limiting their access to specific buildings.

In terms of recruiter issues, given the degree to which the internet is used in the modern workplace, if electromagnetic sensitivity proves to be a regular complaint of potentional employees, HR professionals will be forced to take it consideration when filling positions. And, while experts say that it's unlikely nausea problems would be caused exclusively by wireless internet, that probably won't stop suffering employees from trying to argue their cases in court.

Like this article? Get the RSS feed: