A to Z -- 26 Questions You Can't Ask Applicants
Federal law prohibits employers from getting into certain areas,
either on the application or in the interview. The prohibitions
pertain to the issue of discrimination, or what could be seen as
discrimination..
For example, question Z is intended to prevent
favoritism that an applicant might be shown if he or she knows
someone who is already working where the applicant has applied.
A to Z
-- Twenty-six Questions
You Can’t Ask When Screening Applicants
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a.
Questions concerning marital status.
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b.
Names or ages of spouse, children, relatives, or with whom the
applicant resides.
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c.
Whether the applicant owns his/her own home or rents.
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d. Any
questions relating to medical history or pregnancy.
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e.
Whether the applicant has physical disabilities or medical
conditions.
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f.
Questions about dependents or child care arrangements.
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g.
Questions about a spouse or the spouse’s employment.
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h.
Questions about the applicants’ name that would reveal marital
status, ancestry or national origin.
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i.
Questions concerning plans to have children.
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j.
Questions that would identify the applicants’ age.
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k.
Whether the applicant is a citizen, or requiring a birth or
naturalization certificate.
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l.
Questions regarding national origin.
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m.
Questions that relate to race or color.
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n.
Asking if the applicant would provide a personal photograph.
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o.
Questions relating to religion, including observance of any
religious holidays.
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p.
Anything pertaining to membership in clubs or organizations.
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q.
Type of military discharge or asking for discharge papers.
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r.
Questions about the applicants’ height.
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s. How
much the applicant weighs.
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t.
Whether the applicant has ever been arrested.
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u.
Whether the applicant has ever had his/her wages garnished.
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v.
Whether the applicant has ever filed for bankruptcy.
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w.
Whether the applicant graduated from high school or college.
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x.
Questions concerning the applicants’ native language.
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y.
Questions concerning credit rating or credit references.
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z.
Whether an applicant has friends or relatives working for the
company.
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