In employment law, is it illegal to ask someone you interview for a job whether they are married?

Answer 1

I can't be 100% sure in the United Kingdom, but in the United States it is...technically. The fact of the matter is, employers can, and in most cases will, ask you anthing they damn well please. You can tell them its an illegal question and file complaints to the Department of Labor but if you do the only thing thats really going to happen is that you're not going to get the job. I would imagine that the same hols true "across the pond".

Answer 2

Hmm, not sure if it is illegal to ask, but it would be illegal to make a decision based on it. So any sensible interviewer wouldn't ask it, in case they don't give the person the job and the interviewee claims it was because of the answer to the question. It is possible however, that an interviewer may ask it as a general chatting, getting to know a person/ breaking the ice.

If you want to know exactly what the law is, I would advise speaking to the Citizen's Advice Bureau, who dispense free legal advice.

Answer 3

Not illegal, but not very good practice. If I was asked that question I would be inclined to ask them why they wanted to know, and what difference it would make to my application - or actually getting the job. It's almost like asking a woman if she intends to have children, or any more children, which is a definite no, no in any interview. Try the ACAS website for further info.

Answer 4

many times, no. although, it fairly is against the regulation to discriminate against older human beings simply by fact of their age. So, it fairly is ok for a job application to invite for a birthdate. although, if the applicant then fails to get the job, the applicant can attempt to argue that he/she grew to become right into a sufferer of age discrimination. on the different end, employers could make their very own judgements approximately whether or not they want to hire 18 year olds, or 21 year olds, or in spite of. and now and lower back there are valid grounds for discrimination. working example, if state regulation calls for that somebody be 21 so as to serve alcohol and you're purely 19, then the corporation can come to a determination to not hire you as a bartender or waiter/waitress. Or once you will be driving a vehicle for the corporation, the coverage would limit drivers to a undeniable age--over 21, or over 24, working example. If requested your age, you could consistently civilly counter, "are you able to inform me why you may want to understand?" Then make your determination.

Answer 5

Yes, it is not allowed under employment law. Anything that can be interpreted as discrimination - marital status, age, sex, religion, race, etc. is a taboo topic for job interviews. Some of these will be obvious, of course, during a face-to-face interview, but anything that isn't can't legally be asked.

Answer 6

It's not illegal but they are not obliged to tell you. You can't base the result of their interview if they get the job or not on whether they are married. That would be illegal.

Answer 7

You are intitled to know an employes marital status on the grounds thatit might be relivent to the job.Just as asking about dependants(children) is allowed on the grounds there needs may need taking into account when looking at child school hrs etc........

Answer 8

Yes, you also can't ask their age, or anything personal really, in case they can interpret that as a reason they didn't get the job.

If you interview carefully and openly then you can ususally get quite a lot of info like this anyway.

Answer 9

Isn't that sort of information in the Application form?

Answer 10

just look to see if they have any rings on there left hand should give you a good indication if they are married or not