01.03.08
Questions that Employers CANNOT ask during a job interview
Did you know that it is illegal for employers to ask certain questions during a job interview? I often find that students are unaware that employers cannot ask certain questions during a job interview. Susan Thornberry of Tech Republic identifies 10 questions, or area where employers cannot dig into during an interview. Here’s a summary of Susan’s article:
- Where were you born?
Employers cannot discriminate based on a candidate’s national origin. However you can ask whether a candidate is authorized to work in the United States. - What is your native language?
Again, this question could be used to determine national origin. But you can ask whether the person knows a language if it is required for the job. - Are you married?
You can’t discriminate on the basis of marital status, and hence this question is off limits. - Do you have children?
This is covered by a general prohibition about discrimination over parental status. - Do you plan to get pregnant?
Employers ask this question to weed out women who might take a maternity leave. It has always been rude coming from a casual acquaintance, and now it’s illegal as well. - How old are you?
Age discrimination is illegal. - Do you observe Yom Kippur?
You can’t discriminate on the basis of religion. - Do you have a disability or chronic illness?
This information is not supposed to be used as a factor in hiring. If the job will require some specific physical tasks, you may ask whether the person could perform those tasks with reasonable accommodation. - Are you in the National Guard?
It’s illegal to discriminate against someone because he or she belongs to the National Guard or a reserve unit. - Do you smoke or use alcohol?
You can’t discriminate on the basis of the use of a legal product when the employee is not on the premises and not on the job.
Here’s the link to Susan Thornberry’s full article.