Step 4: Inappropriate Questions
A majority of private companies and public service agencies have policies regarding inappropriate questions. There are also state and federal laws which govern the hiring process. These policies are usually available from the personnel section or central human resources function.
Interviews should be based on "job-related" criteria and questions based on those criteria. If you've been asked an illegal question, talk to the personnel section, human resources, or an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) specialist.
Here are examples of inappropriate topics and questions:
Age: What’s your age?
Age discrimination information from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission - (Check your own labor law)
Childcare: Do you have after school care? (Check your own labor law)
Conditions of work: Does your family approve of your travel? (Check your own labor law)
Criminal Record: When was the last time you were arrested? (Check your own labor law)
Ethnic origin of last name: Is your last name Japanese? (Check your own labor law)
Gender: Are you female? (Check your own labor law)
Language: Do you speak English at home?
Marital Status: Are you divorced?
Name/Title: Is that Ms. or Mrs.?
National origin: Are you Chinese or Japanese? (Check your own labor law)
National origin discrimination information from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission -
Race: What race are you?
Racial discrimination information from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission -
Relatives: Is your husband employed?
Religion: Are you Catholic?
Racial discrimination information from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission -
Residence: How can you handle the long commute?
Sexual preference: Are you gay?