Suspect Questions durring interview......

[Umer Farooq]

Suspect Questions

The following questions are often asked during interviews. Although many of the questions may appear to be job-related, they all could provide information that could be used in discriminatory manner. The potential problems with these questions are described following each question.

1. What is your maiden name? The question may indicate marital status, ethnicity or nation origin. It cannot be used equally with males and females.

2. What is your birthplace? The answer may indicate race/ethnicity, national origin. There is no job-related reason to know this information.

3. What year were you granted a high school diploma or GED? The answer may indicate the age of the applicant.

4. Are you a U.S. citizen? The answer may indicate race/ethnicity. Information on citizenship or work permits is required only after hire.

5. What is the name and relationship of a person to contact in case of emergency? This response may indicate marital status or national origin and is only necessary after hire.

6. Please describe your health? The answer may indicate disability status.

7. What foreign languages do you speak? How did you acquire this language facility? The answer may indicate nation origin or race.

8. Please list the date and circumstances of any arrests other than traffic violations? Information about arrests may adversely affect minorities who are arrested at a higher rate than whites. Arrests do not indicate whether the applicant was ever found guilty in a court of law.

9. Are you willing to submit to a polygraph examination? Montana law prohibits the use of all such tests in employment decisions (39-2-304 MCA).

10. Please list all paid work experiences? This leaves out voluntary work experience, which could adversely affect women.

11. What is the lowest salary you would accept? Employers cannot pay below federal minimum wage guidelines or equal pay laws. Women typically put down lower salary expectations than men.

12. Do you own a car you can depend on to get to work? The response may indicate disability, alcohol-related problems or marital status. Focus on the person’s ability to arrive to work on time.

13. Provide the names of three character references other than former employers or relatives? The names may indicate ethnicity, national origin, and political or religious beliefs.

14. Do you belong to the National Guard or reserve branch of the Armed Forces? Montana law prohibits discrimination in employment based on membership in the “militiaâ€￾ (10-1-603 MCA).

15. List organizations you belong to? The answer may indicate religious/political/ethnic beliefs.

16. Have you received workers’ compensation for a previous injury or illness? This answer may indicate existence of a disability.

17. Spouse’s occupation? The answer may indication marital status.

18. Do you own your home? Rent? The answer may indicate marital status.

19. What is the date and type of military discharge you received? The response may indicate disability. The question should be used only to administer veterans’ employment preference.

20. Are you willing to take a physical exam? This may indicate disability status. Physical exams may only be required after a job offer as a condition for keeping the job.

21. Do you use drugs? The answer may indicate a disability status if applicant is using prescription drugs. The question should be used only if there is a safety-related job concern.

22. Are you willing to join a union? The response may indicate religious beliefs. Some religions forbid membership in such organizations.

23. Are you a student? The answer may indicate age.

24. What arrangements have you made for the care of your dependant children? The answer may indicate marital status.

25. Please indicate if your spouse is employed by this company? This answer indicates marital status.