Inappropriate Interview Questions

Questions Employers Cannot Ask Candidates During An Interview

Have you ever been in an interview and wondered if there were questions an employer couldn’t ask? Here is a list of questions employers are not permitted by law to inquire about in an interview.

• What is your age? What is your date of birth? When did you graduate from high school?
• What is your race, color, religion, or national origin?
• Were you born in the U.S.?
• What country are your parents from?
• Is English your primary language?
• Are you an U.S. citizen?
• Do you have any disabilities of any kind?
• Does anyone in your family have a disability for which you have to provide care?
• Have you ever been treated by a psychologist or a psychiatrist?
• Are you taking any prescription medications?
• Have you ever been treated for drug addiction or alcoholism?
• Are you married, single, or divorced?
• How many children do you have? Who's going to care for them while you're at work?
• Are you pregnant? How long do you plan to take off with the baby?
• When do you plan to start a family?
• Do you have your own car?
• Do you have an arrest record? (But, in some states, you can be asked about criminal convictions.)
• Have you ever sued a former employer?
• Are you a union member? What is your stance on union membership?
• How many sick days did you take off work last year?
• Do you observe the Sabbath or any days that would interfere with this job schedule?
• Have you ever filed a workers' compensation claim?
• Did you receive anything other than an honorable discharge from the military?
• Do you own your own home?
• What is your credit history or credit score?

For further information about the rights of candidates and employees visit the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission website at: http://www.eeoc.gov/.

Next weeks blog will discuss how to handle this questions if you are asked them in an interview.