Job seekers sometimes are shocked by questions that pop up in interviews. Trained HR Professionals know better, but some managers veer into dangerous territory when interviewing job candidates.
What might be viewed as pleasant conversation can turn into fodder for discrimination lawsuits if a rejected candidate pursues a complaint. The following list gives a good idea of queries that might give the appearance of discrimination according to the Title VII of the Civil Rights Act or the Americans with Disabilities Act.
These are examples of questions that should not be asked during employment interviews:
· Are you a U.S. Citizen?
· Are you married? Divorced? Live with someone? Plan to get married?
· Do you have children? Plan to start a family? Have day care worries?
· Do you rent or own your home?
· What church do you attend?
· What kinds of insurance do you have?
· Do you have a disability or illness? Have you been hospitalized? Have you been sick lately?
· Are you taking prescription drugs?
· Have you been treated for drug or alcohol addiction?
· Do you expect to take time off under the Family and Medical Leave Act?
· How often did you miss work last year because you were sick?
· Do you visit a psychiatrist or psychologist?
Because of the possibility of sexual discrimination complaints, there are some added no-no’s when interviewing applicants:
· How do you feel about supervising the opposite sex?
· Could you do this job as well as the opposite sex?
Some of these questions might seem laughable. Some might seem logically designed to figure out how responsible and worthy the applicant might be. But the threat of lawsuits prompts employers to tread carefully in personal probing. Furthermore, job applicants should not answer the questions if asked. In a nutshell, questions asked during an interview should be relevant to the job!
In the upcoming months, look for more information on the “Do’s and Don’ts” associated with conducting employment interviews.
If you have any questions regarding your interviewing practices and procedures, please contact The LL Roberts Group HR Department (toll free) at 877.878.6463. As a PEO client you have direct access to HR Professionals that can assist you with this and many other employment related matters.
