A number of questions should not be, but sometimes are, asked of women and members of minority groups. Certain groups of people in the United States have suffered the effects of discrimination in employment. The federal government has identified these groups and labeled them "protected classes." Protected classes are defined as those who have suffered and continue to suffer the effects of discrimination. These are blacks, women, persons between the ages of 40 and 65 (and older, pending legislation that will raise the limit to 70 years of age), Spanish-surnamed persons, American Indians, handicapped persons (both mentally and physically), Asian-Americans (including Filipinos) and Latin Americans (including Puerto Ricans, Mexican-Americans, Cubans, and Spanish-Americans).
Various federal laws, state laws, and executive orders legislate equal opportunity. In addition, there are agencies at the federal and state levels that enforce this legislation.
These agencies, however, do not publish guides on pre- employment inquiries, so it is difficult to categorize any particular interview question as legal or illegal. The federal government can, however, request proof that any questions used during an interview are job related and therefore are necessary to the screening of applicants and not used for a discriminatory purpose.
To compiled a list of questions I consider to be improper. If you're a member of a protected class and these questions are asked of you, you may find yourself in a predicament. Here's why: If you duck the questions, you may not get the job. If you answer the questions unfavorably, you may be discriminated against and not get the job; but if you answer the questions favorably, you may get the job. Whatever the outcome, if you feel you were discriminated against, you may have grounds to file a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) or, if warranted, to institute a lawsuit. Although that course of action is outside the scope of this book, I'd recommend you answer the questions carefully. Your objective is to land the job.
Most likely, you'll not be subjected to answering such improper questions if the interviewer is in tune with the law In large corporations, the interviewer usually will be knowledgeable about the law and will refrain from asking job applicants improper questions. Occasionally, however, you may encounter an unenlightened individual who will ask you one of the following questions. If this happens, answer judiciously. Although I've furnished answers you can use, several questions require answers only you can formulate.
Questions directed at women
1) Marital relations
Q. Why aren't you married?
A. I haven't found the right person.
Q. Do you plan to get married?
A. Yes, when the right person comes along.
Q. If you get married, would you continue your career?
A. My marital status would not affect my career,
Q. Does your husband object to your working late?
A. My husband and I agree on many things, and one of those is doing a job to the best of one's ability.
Q. Are you able to travel?
A. Yes.
Q. Are you able to relocate?
A. Yes, providing it's a location that's agreeable to my family.
2) Child rearing
Q. Do you have any children?
A. Yes or no.
Q. Do you plan to have any?
A. That's a decision that has to be made carefully by my husband and me.
Q. What ages are your children?
A. Answer accordingly.
Q. Who babysits your children while you work?
A. Answer accordingly.
Q. Do you think your children get good care while you are working?
A. Yes. Our concern as parents and the quality of our child care more than meets their needs.
3) Personal Finances
Q. Do you get alimony?
A. Yes, the need for that has been substantiated and taken care of.
Q. Do you get child support?
A. Yes, the need for that has been substantiated and taken care of.
4) Miscellaneous
Q. Are you a member of any women's liberation organization?
A. No, or yes, in order to help promote a long overdue advancement of women.
Q. Do men find it distracting to work with you?
A. I'm such a diligent worker that most people are busy trying to keep up with me.
Questions directed at blacks
Q. Do you have a car?
A. Yes; or no, but I have never encountered any difficulty in getting to and from work.
Q. Do you own your own home?
A. Yes; or no, but it has always been my dream to one day own a home.
Q. Have you ever had your salary garnisheed?
A. No; or yes, but it won't happen again.
Q. What kind of discharge did you get from the armed forces?
A. Answer accordingly. If other than honorable, say; Tve had to work twice as hard to overcome the stigma of my discharge, and I feel my efforts prove that I'm more responsible now than I was in my younger days in the Army when I was just out of high school.
Questions directed at people over 40
Q. We have a fast-paced outfit. Do you find that you have trouble keeping up these days?
A. No.
Q. How's your record for getting to work on time?
A. It's never been a problem.
Q. What's a typical workday for you like?
A. I'm more productive now than ever. Also, I'm working a lot smarter than I used to, and I get better results from my efforts.
Q. Are you collecting any retirement, pension, or disability payments?
A. Answer accordingly.
Questions asked of Spanish-surnamed people and Asian-Americans
Q. Where were you born?
A. Answer accordingly.
Q. Where were your spouse and parents born?
A. Answer accordingly.
Q. Will you provide names of three relatives other than your father, husband, wife, or minor-age, dependent children?
A. Yes.
Q. Where did you learn to speak a foreign language?
A. Answer accordingly.
Questions asked of American Indians
Q. Do you receive any money from the federal government?
A. Answer accordingly.
Q. Why do you want to work?
A. To earn a living for myself and my family.
The importance of answering these questions tactfully, without showing signs of hostility or annoyance, no matter how offensive the questions may be, cannot be overemphasized. It's always preferable to maintain rapport between yourself and your interviewer. If you feel you were asked improper questions and that you were indeed discriminated against, then by all means contact the EEOC; but keep calm during the interview. The purpose of this book is to help you win that job, and you stand your best chance of doing that by walking a tightrope when it comes to answering improper and sometimes offensive questions that don't seem to be job related.
