The Mental Health Foundation is calling on a leading retailer to drop what it says are unethical and potentially illegal recruitment practices.

People applying for jobs at Kathmandu are being asked to list any prescription drugs or medications they're taking.

Applicants can't proceed unless they surrender the information.

Mental Health Foundation chief Shaun Robinson says people should be judged on their abilities, not the medications they take.

"It's just a completely unnecessary, unfair and illegal approach to employment, and it really needs to stop."

Robinson says it's a dangerous policy.

"It can make people not want to seek help, not want to get on medications, because they don't want to be discriminated against. They can see it could disadvantage them/"

He says medications are often an indicator a person has their illness under control.

Kathmandu has not so far responded to a request for comment.

LISTEN TO SHAUN ROBINSON TALK WITH THE WEEKEND COLLECTIVE ABOVE