What Not to Ask in a Job Interview

Generally, an employer should steer away from asking questions related to the following:

• Age
• Race, national origin
• Gender
• Union membership
• Worker’s compensation/history of sick days
• Prior arrests or convictions
• Sexual orientation

However, certain types of questions related to the following areas may be asked. *

Religion – Are the clearly stated work hours, particularly Friday or Weekend work hours acceptable to the applicant with reasonable accommodations.

National Origin/Citizenship – Is the applicant legally authorized to work in the United States. Language requirements may also be a business necessity to an employment position.

Disabilities/Health History – Is the applicant able to perform essential job functions.

Marital/Family Status – Was the applicant ever called by another name, and is the applicant able to work the expected hours/shifts and perform functions (i.e. traveling) without conflicting with other responsibilities.

Military Service – Questions should be limited to length of service, final rank upon discharge, and the type of applicable work experience acquired.

Past bankruptcies or garnishment of wages – Credit reports are still permitted as long as they are in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act as well as state privacy laws.

Illegal drug/Alcohol Abuse – Only some limited questions are permitted. These may include the following: “Do you currently use illegal drugs?” “Have you ever used illegal drugs?” and “What types of illegal drugs have you used in the last 6 months?”

Clubs/Organization Memberships – You may ask “What relevant professional or trade groups do you belong to?”

Home/Car Ownership – You may ask, “Do you have a reliable method of coming to work each day?”

* For more information examine your states anti-discriminatory laws and Contact the Law Offices of A.P. Pishevar & Associates, P.C.