Question

Is it legal to ask these questions during the pre-employment stage? Base your answers on the information in your text. Can you give an example of an inappropriate/illegal question you might have been asked in the course of the interview process?

Kathy was asked what her maiden name on the interview when she went for her new job today. She told them but wondered why they asked that question.

Margaret was asked how much longer she plans to work before retiring. She actually did not know when she would retire but told them 62 so that she would land the job opportunity. This is her first job since her car accident.

During a job interview at a large company, Walter was asked for references from a past manager at a Wall Street Brokerage House and Investment Bank. She called Terry and asked to forward the reference.

Answer 1

In the following cases, the legality of the questions asked are as follows:

- Kathy being asked her maiden name is illegal because it relates to a female being asked about her marital status and such questions can be asked for discrimination against female applicants because they are married with an assumption of them being able to show less presence at work.

- Asking Margaret how long she plans to work before she retires is also an illegal question. This question indirectly results in asking how old the person is and his capability to work based on his age. This shows discrimination is made on the basis of age.

- Asking Walter the references from his past job is legal as professional and personal preferences can be asked by the interviewer from the candidate to know about their credibility, character and performance levels.

An incident of an inappropriate question being asked to me in an interview was when i plan to get married. As I had mentioned my marital status as a single in the job application form, it was clear that I was single. The interviewer put up the question about my marriage plans which was inappropriate as it was not relatable to the job anyhow. He might be depdnding my performance levels on me being single or married in personal life which was not right or legal.