Beware The Loaded Question When Interviewing Job Applicants!
(Accounting Advice on questions to avoid when conducting a job interview)
Employment law is a real minefield with extra mines being laid every day. The following list from your chartered accountant might help you to avoid tripping some of those mines at the job interview stage. Of course, it is by no means an exhaustive list, but it is certainly an indicative one!
Marital Status
Able to Ask
- If appointed to this position, do you know of any reason why you may not be able to perform or fulfil the duties or responsibilities of the position?
Not Able to Ask
- Are you married?
- Do you have a girlfriend, a boyfriend?
- Do you plan on getting married, on having children?
- Do you have any children? Plan on having more?
- How old are they?
- What are your arrangements for taking them to or collecting them from school?
- What does your spouse do?
- Is much travel involved?
- Does your spouse work long hours?
Religion
Able to Ask
- If appointed to this position, do you know of any reason why you may not be able to perform or fulfil the duties or responsibilities of the position?
Not Able to Ask
- Are you religious?
- What is your religion?
- Which church do you go to?
- Do you observe any other religious holidays aside from Easter and Christmas?
- What is your rabbi’s name?
- Do you have any religious affiliations?
Age
Able to Ask
- Are you over eighteen years of age?
Not Able to Ask
- What is your age?
- When were you born?
Sexual Orientation
Not Able to Ask
- Are you gay, lesbian, homosexual?
- Do you have a girlfriend/boyfriend?
- Do you have a wife/husband?
- Are you married?
Gender
Not Able to Ask
- Do not seek to specify or find out gender in the pre-interview phase, e.g. advertisements, application forms should not specify male or female.
National or Ethnic Origin
Able to Ask
- Are you legally entitled to work in New Zealand?
Not Able to Ask
- Are you a New Zealander?
- Were you born in New Zealand?
- Are you naturalised?
- Where were you/your parents born?
- What is your first language?
- Is your partner/spouse a New Zealander?
- Where do your ancestors hail from?
- Are you related to?
- Other questions which may prompt the information, such as “O’Flaherty is an Irish name, isn’t it?”
Impairment
Able to Ask
- Do you have an impairment that would interfere with your capacity to perform the duties of this position?
- Are there any duties you may not be able to perform?
- If an applicant says yes to either question, the employer must look at what reasonable accommodations may be made.
Not Able to Ask
- Do you have any handicaps or disabilities?
- Have you ever had any major or serious illnesses?
- Are you an asthmatic (diabetic, epileptic, etc.)?
- Are you HIV positive?
Race Colour
Not Able to Ask
- What is your ethnic background?
- Do you follow any particular belief system?
- Do you support the principle of integration?
- What are your thoughts on the current race debate?
Record
Able to Ask
- Do you have any court convictions for criminal offences?
Not Able to Ask
- Have you ever been in trouble with the law?
- Haveyou ever been arrested or charged with an offence?
Name
Able to Ask
- Is any further detail on the use of another name (alias, nickname, changed name) needed to enable a complete verification of your employment history?
Not Able to Ask
- What is your maiden name?
- Have you ever changedyour name by deed poll?
Contact us today for a Free Consultation