religion and the awkward interview questions

[unblock]

thanks to the hobby lobby, the "religious views" of a closely-held company are now very relevant to employment and employee benefits.

it remains illegal for employers to question a candidate's religion. however, if a candidate volunteers information about their religion, it's considered fair game for the employer to ask further questions (though this remains ill-advised -- it plays best in court if you can say you quickly changed the subject).

now, however, a candidate might consider it very important to make inquiries into the religious views of the company and/or its owners, in case there is or might in the future be any impact on benefits, working conditions, etc.

legally, i think there's a clear line between discussing the employer's religion vs. discussing the candidate's religion, but in practice this will lead to many awkward interviews; and, in all likelihood, violations of federal law regarding hiring discrimination based on a candidate's religion.

[tularetom]

1. If the employer informs the job seeker his religion frowns on contraception

the candidate won't have to ask those awkward questions.

There's nothing preventing an employer from volunteering that information.

[unblock]

2. yeah, but i expect employers will leave it to the candidate to ask.

which then may tip off the employer to the candidate's religious views and/or sexual activity.

i see this as highly problematic.

[Lee-Lee]

3. The health package is part of compensation

Ask to review details of the plan as part of any offer for employment.

That's actually wise policy regardless, to know exactly what the offer is.