The Most Common Illegal Job Interview Questions You Should Watch Out For

[Newell Steamer]

http://lifehacker.com/the-most-common-illegal-job-interview-questions-you-sho-1706238105

• “How Old Are You?”
• “Have You Ever Been Arrested?”
• “How Is Your Health?”
• “Are You Married?”
• “What Is Your Religion?”
• “What Is Your Nationality?”
• “Do You Like to Drink Socially?”
• “Have You Ever Used Drugs In the Past?”

Have you ever been asked any or all of these questions?

I was once asked the "How Old Are You?" question when I got out of college. It was a small retailer that was looking for an A/P assistant. The interviewer was an older Japanese woman. When I told her (21), she balked and said I looked like I was 30. I didn't get the job.

 

[Markbnj]

I'm always on the lookout for these, and I never fail to let the interviewer know he or she has crossed a line that must not be crossed. I'm sure there are other reasons I never get a call on those jobs. But whatever.

 

[TechBoyJK]

Why can't you ask age or health?

Hiring someone is a commitment and costs money. I think you should have some choice, bias and all.

 

[BoomerD]

Being of an "older generation," I've been asked almost all of those...plus,

"do you have kids?"

 

[manimal]

what if they hand you a questionnaire with all those questions on it as a prerequisite to getting the interview?

every retail job in the country used to in the 90s the last time I worked retail.

 

[GasX]

You can get around most of these easily enough if you want...

 

[Capt Caveman]

As an interviewer, we're not allowed to ask any of those due to potential lawsuits.

 

[edro]

If they ask those questions I can easily lie about them.

 

[MetalMat]

I've been asked if I am married and also if I am single in job interviews before.

 

[holden j caufield]

why can't you ask someone about their health. If someone is going to do manual labor I think it'd be best to ask about health.

 

[ViviTheMage]

I have been asked all of these when applying for law enforcement jobs

 

[FerrelGeek]

You can get around most of these easily enough if you want...

As an interviewer, we're not allowed to ask any of those due to potential lawsuits.

A clever interviewer can get pretty close to a person's age without asking directly. Had to get a drug test for my current job. If you're married, they'll see a ring on your finger, assuming you wear one. And good luck trying to win a case where you didn't get a job by your answers, or non-answers to any of those questions.

 

[IronWing]

why can't you ask someone about their health. If someone is going to do manual labor I think it'd be best to ask about health.

You have to ask the right question and allow the interviewee to offer health related answers if they choose. Questions should stick to ability to perform, not health issues.

Correct: "This job requires heavy lifting, lots of walking on uneven ground, and working in hot/cold/wet/dry weather. Are you able to perform these tasks under these conditions?"

Incorrect: "This job requires heavy lifting, lots of walking on uneven ground, and working in hot/cold/wet/dry weather. Do you have any health conditions which would preclude you from carrying out these tasks under these conditions?"

 

[Fanatical Meat]

Why can't you ask age or health?

Hiring someone is a commitment and costs money. I think you should have some choice, bias and all.

asking about health can go all sorts of wacky directions. Such as no I have high blood sugar or no I have crohns disease. The only question should be here are a list of requirements can you do them?

 

[z1ggy]

Been asked the drugs one, but that was on a DoD security clearance form, when I was already hired by said company.

 

[LevelSea]

I've had to answer most of those for a security clearance.

 

[IndyColtsFan]

IMO, it should be illegal for them to ask about your salary history or current salary. It serves no useful purpose except to filter you out.

 

[BurnItDwn]

So what are the ideal or 'correct' anwers to these questions?

“How Old Are You?”
I AM 2015 years old.

“Have You Ever Been Arrested?”
Hundreds of times.

“How Is Your Health?”
I can defeat you without breaking a sweat in combat.

“Are You Married?”
I have many wives

“What Is Your Religion?”
I am a deity in multiple religions.

“What Is Your Nationality?”
I am earthican

“Do You Like to Drink Socially?”
I drink socially when Im not drinking alone.

“Have You Ever Used Drugs In the Past?”
Of course, as has everybody worth hiring.

 

[Tim]

So what are the ideal or 'correct' anwers to these questions?

“How Old Are You?”
I AM 2015 years old.

“Have You Ever Been Arrested?”
Hundreds of times.

“How Is Your Health?”
I can defeat you without breaking a sweat in combat.

“Are You Married?”
I have many wives

“What Is Your Religion?”
I am a deity in multiple religions.

“What Is Your Nationality?”
I am earthican

“Do You Like to Drink Socially?”
I drink socially when Im not drinking alone.

“Have You Ever Used Drugs In the Past?”
Of course, as has everybody worth hiring.

I like your style.

 

[OverVolt]

EEOC protected employment status.

Gawd you guys are dense. Everyone should know these. Since some apparently don't I guess we begrudgingly owe the OP for a good thread .

 

[Rakehellion]

Why can't you ask age or health?

Hiring someone is a commitment and costs money. I think you should have some choice, bias and all.

You aren't a boxing commissioner.

 

[Rakehellion]

I'm always on the lookout for these, and I never fail to let the interviewer know he or she has crossed a line that must not be crossed. I'm sure there are other reasons I never get a call on those jobs. But whatever.

What are you supposed to do when they ask one of these questions? Threaten to sue?

 

[Kaido]

What are you supposed to do when they ask one of these questions? Threaten to sue?

You can (at least, the feds can). They even watch Craigslist job postings, at least here in the New England area. My friend got nailed asking for someone young & in-shape for help with his roofing biz. You can choose who to hire or not hire, but you can't discriminate against who you let be interviewed. HR is tricky stuff if you haven't done it before!

 

[Rakehellion]

I was asked my age while interviewing for a tech position. I look about 5-7 years younger than I am. They also said I was overqualified. I didn't get the job.

 

[piasabird]

Just ask date of birth. They could ask about age if they have a reason like working as a bartender or if they sell alcohol and cigarettes. Instead they could just ask for your High School Transcript or your driver's License.