Acceptable and Unacceptable Inquiries for Interviews and Employment Applications Topic Acceptable Unacceptable If Unacceptable, What Is the Reason? Age If age is a legal requirement, can ask "If hired, can you furnish proof of age?" or a statement that hire is subject to age verification. What is your date of birth? Could be viewed as age discrimination Attendance/reliability What hours and days can you work? How many children do you have? Could be viewed as discriminatory toward females Attendance/reliability Are there specific times that you cannot work? What religion are you? Could be viewed as religious discrimination Attendance/reliability Do you have responsibilities other than work that will interfere with specific job requirements such as traveling? What are your child care arrangements? Could be viewed as discriminatory toward females Attendance/reliability Do you have a reliable method of getting to work? Do you own a car? Could be considered racial discrimination Citizenship/ national origin Are you legally eligible for employment in the United States? What is your national origin? Where are your parents from? Could be considered national origin discrimination Citizenship/ national origin Have you ever worked under a different name? What is your maiden name? Could be considered national origin discrimination
National origin None What is your father's surname? What are the names of your relatives? Not only are these irrelevant, but they could be considered national origin discrimination Arrest and conviction Have you ever been convicted of a felony? *See note below for additional guidance Have you ever been arrested? Could be considered racial discrimination Disabilities Can you perform the duties of the job you are applying for? Do you have any disabilities? Could be considered discrimination against people with disabilities Disabilities None Have you ever filed a workers' compensation claim? Could be considered discrimination against people with disabilities Disabilities None Have you ever been injured on the job? Could be considered discrimination against people with disabilities Emergency contact information What is the name and address of the person to be notified in case of an emergency? (Request only after the individual has been employed.) What is the name and address of a relative to be notified in case of an emergency? Could be considered national origin discrimination and could possibly violate state laws relative to sexual orientation Credit record None Do you own your own home? Irrelevant and could be considered racial discrimination Credit record Credit references may be used if in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Have your wages ever been garnished? Irrelevant and could be considered racial discrimination
Act of 1970 and the Consumer Credit Reporting Reform Act of 1996 Credit record None Have you ever declared bankruptcy? Irrelevant and could be considered racial discrimination Military record What type of education, training and work experience relevant to the job did you receive while in the military? What type of discharge did you receive? Irrelevant and could be considered racial discrimination Language What languages do you speak and write fluently? (if the job requires additional languages) What is your native language? How did you learn to read, write or speak a foreign language? Could be considered national origin discrimination Organizations Inquiry into an applicant's membership in organizations that the applicant considers relevant to his or her ability to perform the job List all clubs, societies and lodges to which you belong. Could be considered racial or national origin discrimination Race or color None Complexion or color of skin Could be considered racial or national origin discrimination Weight, height, eye color Only if there is a bona fide occupational qualification Could be considered racial or national origin discrimination Religion Only if there is a bona fide occupational qualification What is your religious denomination, religious affiliations, church, parish, pastor? What Could be considered religious discrimination