What Employers Can and Cannot Ask During an Interview

Interviewing for a new job can be a nerve-racking experience. You want to make a good impression so the employer decides to offer you the employment position. You may worry about certain things the employer will ask you, and you may even have some answers prepared in advance. While employers have many liberties when asking you questions, there are some that violate the law. Below, one of our Ohio employment law attorneys outlines what these are.

Are You a Citizen of the United States?

Employers do have to make sure that all of their employees are legally allowed to work in the United States. Still, asking about your ethnicity could constitute discrimination. An employer can ask if you are authorized to work in the country, but they should refrain from asking about your immigration status. Questions pertaining to your native language may also be considered discriminatory, although an employer may ask which languages you speak, write, and read fluently.

Do You Practice a Certain Religion?

Questions about religion should never be asked in an interview. The employer may wonder if you need certain holidays off, such as Hanukkah, Ramadan, or Easter. While an employer can ask about certain times during the year you will need off, they should never specifically mention religion or connect that time off with certain religious periods or holidays.

Are You a Member of Any Special Interest Groups?

This question may seem as though the employer is simply taking an interest in your life, but it may be a disguised way of asking about your political affiliations. Your political ideologies have nothing to do with your employment position, and employers should refrain from asking about them. However, they can ask whether you belong to any industry groups relevant to the employment position you are applying for.

How Old Are You?

Age discrimination in the workplace is real. Employers should never ask you about your age, whether you are considering retiring soon, or anything else that pertains to how old you are. Ohio does set minimum age requirements for employees so child labor laws are not violated. Still, employers should only ask if you are legally allowed to work in the state without mentioning your age.

Are You Married? Do You Have Children?

Your marital status has nothing to do with the employment position you are applying for. Neither does whether or not you have children. Women, in particular, are often the victims of discrimination based on their marital or family status. Employers sometimes view people with families as not being as dedicated to the job as unmarried and childless workers, even though this is not true. Employers should never ask about your marital or family status, even if it is just in casual conversation.

Our Employment Law Attorneys in Ohio Can Help With Your Case

If you have interviewed for a job and believe you were discriminated against, our Ohio employment law attorneys at Marshal Forman & Schlein can advise on your case. Our skilled attorneys can determine if discrimination occurred and, if so, can outline your legal options for moving forward. Call us now or contact us online to schedule a free consultation and learn more.