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Interview Questions to Avoid, Part 3
June 29, 2007
In the final blog of our 3 part series on how to avoid asking questions that could put you on the wrong side of discrimination laws, we look at the final 5 categories of potentially unlawful questions and how to glean information from your candidates without putting your foot in it.
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Marital status/name changes/spouse/children - any questions relating to these issues may be construed as discriminatory, especially against women and none are job-related.
Not OK – “What does your wife/husband do for a living?” or “Do you have children?” or “How do you plan to arrange for child-care?”
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Organization or club membership - this might reveal protected class information and it is irrelevant (i.e. Knights of Columbus, NAACP or Diabetes Association)
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National origin, ethnicity, and/or ancestry – EEOC (Equal Opportunity Commission) guidelines prohibit asking questions that may reveal this information; rejected applicants could have grounds for a discrimination suit if any of these questions were part of the application/interview process.
Not OK – “Do you speak English at home?” or “Rostakovich is an interesting last name. What kind of name is that?”
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Organization or club membership - this might reveal protected class information and it is irrelevant (i.e. Knights of Columbus, NAACP or Diabetes Association)
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Religion – do not ask at all. The only exception may be for those who are part of religious organizations as provided by certain statutes.
Not OK – “Do you intend to take time off for your religious holidays?”
OK – “This position requires weekend work/travel. Do you have any responsibilities that conflict with these requirements?”
Don't miss part 1 and part 2 of this series. Keep this weeks blogs handy – you never know when you might need them!
Posted by Alan Ibbotson on June 29, 2007 | Comments (0)
