Monday, May 24

Weekly Wisdom-May 24, 2010

30 Illegal Interview Questions
compiled by the Editors at HR World
  1. Are you a U.S. Citizen?  (It IS legal to ask: Are you authorized to work in the U.S.?)
  2. What is your native tongue?
  3. How long have you lived here?  (Asking for a current address and alternate contact details is legal.)
  4. What religion do you practice?
  5. Which religious holidays do you observe?
  6. Do you belong to a club or social organization?  (Questions regarding membership in professional and trade groups are the exception.)
  7. How old are you?
  8. How much longer to you plan to work before you retire?
  9. Is this your maiden name/Are you married?
  10. Do you have or plan to have children?
  11. Can you get a babysitter on short notice for overtime or travel?
  12. Do you have kids?
  13. Who is your closest relative to notify in case of emergency?  ("Relative" is the lawbreaker.)
  14. What do your parents do for a living?
  15. If you get pregnant, will you continue to work, and will you come back after maternity leave?
  16. We've always had a woman/man do this job.  How do you think you'll stack up?
  17. How do you feel about supervising women/men?
  18. What do you think of interoffice dating?
  19. Do you smoke or drink?
  20. Do you take drugs?  (Adding "illegal" before drugs makes this a legal question.)
  21. How tall are you?
  22. How much do you weigh?
  23. How many sick days did you take last year?  (The more general topic of missed days is legal.)
  24. Do you have disabilities?
  25. Have you had any recent or past illnesses or operations?
  26. How far is your commute?  (If you can arrive to work on time the length of your actual commute is immaterial.)
  27. Do you live nearby?  (The interviewer knows your address; if relocation is necessary, it is legal to ask if you are willing to move.)
  28. Have you ever been arrested?  (Direct questions regarding convictions for specific offenses are allowable.)
  29. Were you  honorably discharged from the military?
  30. Are you a member of the National Guard or Reserves?

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