Are You Being Asked Legal Questions?

Answer 1

Have you ever been in a job interview and thought to yourself, “this just doesn't feel right?”

I'm not talking about the butterflies we all get during job interviews, but the uncomfortable feeling that you're being asked to provide information that you just don't feel comfortable talking about?

You're not alone. Too often, interview that involve a series of questions about your education and work abilities also involve role-playing.

Those questions are tough, but that's okay, because it's allowed. However, there are times employers cross the line and ask questions that aren't relevant to the job. And in addition to being irrelevant, some questions are just not legal for them to be asking.

Did you know that an employer can't ask about your race, marital status or religion? Here's some samples of questions that you should refuse to answer – and that are illegal for you to have been asked. Further, your refusal to answer these questions is never permitted to be grounds for denying you a job.

* Are you married or single?

Legally, your personal life has no bearing on how fit you are to perform a job. While an employer can ask if your schedule allows you to work for them, it's illegal to discriminate against you because you have children who need care or a marriage that needs attending to. As long as you can dedicate the time needed to do the job, what you do in the rest of your off-work time is none of an employers' business.

* What's your race or national origin?

We've all seen the survey question on an application asking our race and sex, and also the option not to answer that question. That's legal because information is often required to be collected to report to the federal government. However, the U.S. Department of the Interior requires that an employer can't ask your national origin or race because they do not have a bearing on whether you can perform a job.

* What church do you go to?

Again, your religion has no bearing on whether you can perform a job duties, and sometimes, an answer to this question can bring discrimination against you in the workplace. An employer also can't ask about your religious holidays. However, you will have to answer if you can work a certain schedule, and it will be up to you to disclose if your religion may interfere.

* What do you do if you're asked any of these questions?

Remain calm. If you feel comfortable answering the question, then it is your option whether or not to answer it. However, if you are asked one of these questions, you are well within you rights to ask the employer what your answer will have to do with your potential job duties.