Questions in job interview often run afoul of the law

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

It’s tough to come up with the right answer in a job interview, particularly if the question could run afoul of the law.

An Associated Press-CNBC poll found that half of all Americans who’ve ever applied for a job have been asked questions that could be used to discriminate against a protected class under equal opportunity law.

The poll of 1,054 adults was conducted by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research.

Among those who’ve ever interviewed for a job, 35 percent of the people polled had been asked about their age, and the same percentage had been asked about marital status. Twenty-one percent had been asked about their medical history or whether they have a disability, 11 percent said they had been asked whether they or their partner is pregnant or if they have plans to have children, and 9 percent were asked about their religious beliefs.

Under the laws enforced by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, it is illegal to discriminate against someone — employee or applicant — because of their race, color, religion, national origin, disability or genetic information. It also is illegal to discriminate against anyone because of their age — 40 and older — and sex, which includes gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy.

http://www.heraldnet.com/business/questions-in-job-interview-often-run-afoul-of-the-law/?utm_source=DAILY+HERALD&utm_campaign=625302e644-RSS_EMAIL_CAMPAIGN&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_d81d073bb4-625302e644-228635337

[BigmanPigman]

1. This hasn't changed much since 1970.

I remember an old Mary Tyler Moore episode when she was asked if she was single and what her age and religion were. She told "Lou" that it was against the law to ask her those questions and he responded, "What do you want to do, call a cop?".

[Marengo]

2. As a department manager who interviews candidates, this is incomprehensible. Perhaps I was...

Fortunate that, when promoted, my employer provided me with excellent training in preparation for this responsibility. But, even in the absence of that, It’s simply difficult to imagine someone in the position of interviewing candidates doesn’t have the sense these types of questions are inappropriate.

[cbdo2007]

3. This data seems a little off...

Not that I don't think this happens, but they are saying "half of all Americans who’ve ever applied for a job" have been asked these questions. I know it was commonplace decades ago, and there are still many of those people in the work force so if they are saying have they EVER been asked, then that could be something that happened long ago when things were different.