QUIZ: INTERVIEWINGWhich Of The Following Interview Questions Are Illegal To Ask A Candidate? Select All That Apply. (There Are 3 Correct Answers.)A. This Job Has The Following Physical Demands - Will You Have Any Issues?B. Will Transportation To And

Mar 11, 2025 by ADMIN 250 views

**Quiz: Interviewing - Identifying Illegal Interview Questions**

As an employer, it's essential to know what questions are and are not allowed during the hiring process. Asking the wrong questions can lead to lawsuits and damage your company's reputation. In this quiz, we'll explore which interview questions are illegal to ask a candidate.

Understanding Illegal Interview Questions

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) regulates the types of questions that can be asked during an interview. The goal is to ensure that all candidates are treated fairly and without bias. Here are some key points to remember:

Age: You cannot ask about a candidate's age or birthdate.
Disability: You cannot ask about a candidate's disability or health status.
Marital Status: You cannot ask about a candidate's marital status or family plans.
National Origin: You cannot ask about a candidate's national origin or ancestry.
Pregnancy: You cannot ask about a candidate's pregnancy or family plans.
Race: You cannot ask about a candidate's race or ethnicity.
Religion: You cannot ask about a candidate's religion or spiritual beliefs.
Sex: You cannot ask about a candidate's sex or gender identity.
Sexual Orientation: You cannot ask about a candidate's sexual orientation.

Quiz Time!

Now that we've covered the basics, let's get to the quiz. Select all the questions that are illegal to ask a candidate:

A. This job has the following physical demands - will you have any issues?

Physical Demands: This question is not necessarily illegal, as it's related to the job requirements. However, it's essential to ensure that the question is not used to discriminate against candidates with disabilities.
Example: "Can you lift 50 pounds?" or "Do you have any physical limitations that might impact your ability to perform the job?"

B. Will transportation to and from work be a problem for you?

Transportation: This question is not necessarily illegal, as it's related to the candidate's ability to commute to work. However, it's essential to ensure that the question is not used to discriminate against candidates who do not have a car or prefer to use public transportation.
Example: "Do you have a reliable means of transportation to and from work?" or "How do you plan to commute to work?"

C. How old are you?

Age: This question is illegal, as it's a direct ask about the candidate's age.
Example: "What's your birthdate?" or "How many years of experience do you have?"

D. Do you have any disabilities that might impact your ability to perform the job?

Disability: This question is illegal, as it's a direct ask about the candidate's disability.
Example: "Do you have any physical limitations that might impact your ability to perform the job?" or "Can you describe any accommodations you might need to perform the job?"

E. Are you married?

Marital Status: This question is illegal, as it's a direct ask about the candidate's marital status.
Example: "Do you have any family obligations that might impact your ability to work?" or "How many dependents do you have?"

F. Where are you from?

National Origin: This question is illegal, as it's a direct ask about the candidate's national origin.
Example: "What's your cultural background?" or "Do you have any family ties to this area?"

G. Are you pregnant?

Pregnancy: This question is illegal, as it's a direct ask about the candidate's pregnancy.
Example: "Do you have any family plans?" or "How many children do you have?"

H. What's your race?

Race: This question is illegal, as it's a direct ask about the candidate's race.
Example: "What's your cultural background?" or "Do you have any family ties to this area?"

I. What's your religion?

Religion: This question is illegal, as it's a direct ask about the candidate's religion.
Example: "Do you have any spiritual beliefs that might impact your ability to work?" or "How do you plan to observe your faith in the workplace?"

J. What's your sex?

Sex: This question is illegal, as it's a direct ask about the candidate's sex.
Example: "What's your preferred pronoun?" or "Do you have any family plans?"

K. Are you gay?

Sexual Orientation: This question is illegal, as it's a direct ask about the candidate's sexual orientation.
Example: "Do you have any family plans?" or "How many dependents do you have?"

Conclusion

Asking the right questions during an interview is crucial to ensure that all candidates are treated fairly and without bias. By understanding what questions are illegal to ask, you can create a positive and inclusive hiring process. Remember to focus on job-related questions and avoid asking about a candidate's personal characteristics. If you're unsure about a particular question, it's always best to err on the side of caution and avoid asking it.

Additional Resources

Quiz Answers

The correct answers are:

C. How old are you?
D. Do you have any disabilities that might impact your ability to perform the job?
E. Are you married?

As an employer, it's essential to know what questions are and are not allowed during the hiring process. Asking the wrong questions can lead to lawsuits and damage your company's reputation. In this Q&A article, we'll explore some common interview questions and determine whether they are legal or illegal.

Q: Can I ask a candidate about their age?

A: No, you cannot ask a candidate about their age. Asking about a candidate's age is a direct ask about their age, which is a protected characteristic under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA).

Q: Can I ask a candidate about their disability?

A: No, you cannot ask a candidate about their disability. Asking about a candidate's disability is a direct ask about their disability, which is a protected characteristic under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Q: Can I ask a candidate about their marital status?

A: No, you cannot ask a candidate about their marital status. Asking about a candidate's marital status is a direct ask about their marital status, which is a protected characteristic under the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Q: Can I ask a candidate about their national origin?

A: No, you cannot ask a candidate about their national origin. Asking about a candidate's national origin is a direct ask about their national origin, which is a protected characteristic under the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Q: Can I ask a candidate about their pregnancy?

A: No, you cannot ask a candidate about their pregnancy. Asking about a candidate's pregnancy is a direct ask about their pregnancy, which is a protected characteristic under the Pregnancy Discrimination Act (PDA).

Q: Can I ask a candidate about their race?

A: No, you cannot ask a candidate about their race. Asking about a candidate's race is a direct ask about their race, which is a protected characteristic under the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Q: Can I ask a candidate about their religion?

A: No, you cannot ask a candidate about their religion. Asking about a candidate's religion is a direct ask about their religion, which is a protected characteristic under the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Q: Can I ask a candidate about their sex?

A: No, you cannot ask a candidate about their sex. Asking about a candidate's sex is a direct ask about their sex, which is a protected characteristic under the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Q: Can I ask a candidate about their sexual orientation?

A: No, you cannot ask a candidate about their sexual orientation. Asking about a candidate's sexual orientation is a direct ask about their sexual orientation, which is a protected characteristic under the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Q: Can I ask a candidate about their physical abilities?

A: Yes, you can ask a candidate about their physical abilities, but only if it's related to the job requirements. For example, you can ask a candidate if they can lift 50 pounds or if they have any physical limitations that might impact their ability to perform the job.

Q: Can I ask a candidate about their transportation options?

A: Yes, you can ask a candidate about their transportation options, but only if it's related to the job requirements. For example, you can ask a candidate if they have a reliable means of transportation to and from work.

Q: Can I ask a candidate about their family plans?

A: No, you cannot ask a candidate about their family plans. Asking about a candidate's family plans is a direct ask about their marital status, which is a protected characteristic under the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Q: Can I ask a candidate about their cultural background?

A: No, you cannot ask a candidate about their cultural background. Asking about a candidate's cultural background is a direct ask about their national origin, which is a protected characteristic under the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Conclusion

Additional Resources

Quiz Answers

The correct answers are:

C. How old are you?
D. Do you have any disabilities that might impact your ability to perform the job?
E. Are you married?

Remember, it's always best to focus on job-related questions and avoid asking about a candidate's personal characteristics. By doing so, you can create a positive and inclusive hiring process.