In dentistry, it is common for an employer to interview their potential job applicant via a “working interview” process. This can typically involve the potential employee exhibiting certain skills and abilities for the employer by performing clinical or office tasks.

When hiring new employees for your medical or dental practice, you should be cognizant of the differences between a working interview and paid work. At a certain point, a working interview may cross over into paid work territory. It is up to you, as the employer, to make sure that you are legally compliant at all times and have not violated any rules or regulations relating to the pay that a potential employee may be owed. The following are guidelines that can help limit your exposure to compensating a potential employee during the application process, as well as making sure that the working interview is comfortable for all parties involved.

Structuring Your Skill Test

Implementing carefully designed evaluative-based skill tests are an excellent tool in determining the qualifications of a potential employee without having to compensate them. These types of tests can be performed in the traditional written style, as well as in a “hands off” context. The work environment will most likely play a large role in an evaluative-based skill test. For example, an employer may require the applicant to spend some time making observations of the flow of the workspace. The employer will then ask the applicant how they might recreate or improve the setup of the environment they have observed. These types of analytical based questions combine situational and hypothetical questions that require a larger range of analytics. Not only will these questions give you more information on how a potential new hire thinks, it also allows you to evaluate how detail oriented someone is, how and what they view as problems, organizational habits, work styles, etc., without them ever actually working-- and you having to pay them. By implementing evaluative-based skill tests, you can place a limit on compensation during the interview process while also learning key skills and personality traits.

Production of Work

In order to avoid compensating a potential employee for their time during a “working interview” you will need to make sure that that person does not actually perform any work for your dental or medical practice. When having the applicant shadow one of your existing employees, you will want to make certain that that person does not cross any lines into paid work territory. If at any time the potential applicant performs work that would benefit the practice, you will need to compensate that person for their time. In California, “hours worked” are defined as “the time during which an employee is subject to the control of an employer, and includes all the time the employee is suffered or permitted to work, whether or not required to do so.” Essentially, this means that you should not allow your potential employee to be subject to performing any work during the interview process. Production of work can be limited by clearly explaining to the applicant that he or she will not actually be performing any work but will instead focus on understanding what the workplace culture and environment are like, along with other best practices of the business.

Length of Time

While the length of time that a working interview lasts may vary from position to position, you will need to try to keep that time to a minimum. The longer the working interview lasts, the more danger you are in of having to compensate the interviewee for their time. While some positions may require only an hour of interview as the requisite amount of time, others may require several hours or even a day or two. Determining the length of time for the working interview ahead of time and structuring that to the applicant’s skills set will be key to achieving the best outcome during the interview process.

Other Things to be Aware of

In addition to the above, there are other things that an employer should be aware of during the working interview process. For instance, working interviews can be disruptive to your existing work environment. Having an extra person floating around and shadowing existing employees can sometimes make other employees uneasy. By making sure that everyone at your practice is properly briefed ahead of time, you can hopefully mitigate some of these discomforts. In the alternative, a working interview can be very stressful on an applicant. To make sure that your potential employee is comfortable, be sure that while your skills test is structured and your time is laid out accordingly, you will also need to allow time for that person to ask questions and bring up any concerns that they might have. Lastly, because this is a competitive process, you may want to consider having a potential employee sign a non-disclosure agreement as part of the working interview. This is especially important if your dental or medical practice includes any proprietary secrets or methods in your work.

While a working interview may seem nerve-wracking for everyone involved, arming yourself with the above knowledge will help you feel confident in your decision-making processes in the realm of employment law. If there is ever any doubt regarding whether or not you should compensate the applicant for their working interview, it is best to go ahead and do so to avoid any potential liability. Should you have any pressing questions regarding any particular interactions during the working interview process, consulting your legal counsel can additionally put your mind at ease.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is a working interview in dentistry?
A: A working interview involves a potential employee performing clinical or office tasks to demonstrate their skills and abilities to an employer.

Q: How can I differentiate between a working interview and paid work?
A: To avoid crossing into paid work, ensure the applicant does not perform tasks that benefit your practice. Focus on skills tests that do not involve actual work.

Q: How can evaluative-based skill tests help in a working interview?
A: Evaluative-based skill tests can assess an applicant’s qualifications through written or observational tasks without requiring compensation for work performed.

Q: What should I consider regarding the production of work during a working interview?
A: Ensure the applicant does not perform tasks that benefit the practice. They should only observe and understand the workplace culture without doing any actual work.

Q: How long should a working interview last?
A: Keep the working interview as short as possible to minimize the risk of needing to compensate the applicant. Plan the duration based on the position’s requirements.

Q: What should I be aware of during a working interview?
A: Be aware that working interviews can disrupt your work environment and stress the applicant. Prepare your team and allow time for the applicant to ask questions.

Q: Should a non-disclosure agreement be part of a working interview?
A: Consider having the applicant sign a non-disclosure agreement, especially if your practice involves proprietary secrets or methods.

Q: What should I do if I'm unsure about compensating an applicant?
A: If there is any doubt about whether compensation is required, it is best to compensate the applicant to avoid potential liability.

Q: Who should I consult if I have questions about a working interview?
A: Consult your legal counsel to address any specific questions or concerns about the working interview process.

About the Author

At Dental & Medical Counsel, we've been instrumental in realizing the practice goals of countless dentists. Whether you're looking to purchase, launch, or sell a dental practice, our expertise is your guide. Beyond the initial stages, we're committed to ensuring your dental practice remains legally compliant.

We provide comprehensive support, including employment law protections, dental contract reviews, and assistance with dental employment agreements. Additionally, we specialize in incorporating dental practices and securing trademarks. And for long-term planning, our services extend to helping dentists with succession and estate planning. Trust us to be your partner in every step of your dental practice journey.

About Ali Oromchian, Esq.

Your Dental Lawyer

Ali Oromchian, JD, LL.M. is the founding attorney of the Dental & Medical Counsel, PC law firm and is renowned for his expertise in legal matters

Ali Oromchian, JD, LL.M., is a leading legal authority in dental law and the founding attorney of Dental & Medical Counsel, PC, with over two decades of experience. His deep connection to dentistry comes from his wife's nearly two-decade-long career as a pediatric dentist.

This personal insight fuels his dedication to empowering dentists to navigate their legal challenges and achieve their practice goals. In doing so, Ali has helped thousands of doctors open their practices while maintaining legal compliance.

Ali is frequently quoted and contributes articles to dental publications, including the California Dental Society, Progressive Dentist, Progressive Orthodontists, Dentistry Today, Dentaltown, and The New Dentist magazines, further showcasing his commitment to the dental community.