Is it legal for employers in NYC to inquire about a job applicants politics?

Question

The reason I ask is that I was a political science major at a school with a reputation for being liberal. When I go to interviews I have employers ask me if "oh, you went to the University of ------, thats a liberal /left wing/radical school isn't it? So the employer does not come out and say it but nevertheless brings politics into it, even though the job is not a political one.

Answer 1

You could always answer the question as though you didn't think the interviewer was asking about your political beliefs. For example you could say "Yes, there were a lot of liberal people there." You didn't say that you were liberal or that you agreed with it...you only answered the question.

By the way, it's not legal, but I wouldn't recommend refusing to answer the question. You definitely won't get the job that way.

Answer 2

There is no such thing as an "illegal question". An employer can ask you anything they want during an interview. However, if they base an employment decision on illegal discrimination THEN they are breaking the law.

For example, if someone says "what kind of a name is Goldstein?" and the candidate answers "um it's Jewish" and then the employer decides they are not hiring Mr. Goldstein in whole or partly because he is Jewish they are breaking the law. Good luck proving it though...it is sad but it happens all the time. A lot of people use the term "illegal question" to scare managers and supervisors into "not going there". Why? Because it is hard for employers to prove they DIDN'T use protected class information to discriminate (although the burden of proof is on the plaintiff...an employer never wants to be in the situation where they don't have their ducks in a row).

Political beliefs are NOT a protected class unless those political beliefs exist due to a person's sincerely held religion (i.e. Jehovah's Witnesses will not salute the flag or participate in voting or the military).

My first suggestion is take the name of the university off your resume and just put "BS Political Science 1997" or whatever. If they ask then just tell them the name of the university. If they have comments about it brush them off or do what the other posters have suggested above - be neutral if you don't want to share your personal beliefs.

Secondly, it sounds as if you are pretty sensitive to comments that have been made. Be prepared for most people who interview you to be conservative. These are people who are business owners, executives, generally pro-business and lean towards conservative politics. Not all of course but dollars to doughnuts you will find this to be true when looking for a job in "the business world". If you want to be in a pro-liberal place you may want to reconsider where you are applying.

Answer 3

That's a flag that you don't want to work for that person. Not because they might have differing politics, but they would be that unprofessional and bias their hiring decision on something that should be none of their business and has nothing to do with your qualifications and what you can bring to the company. Dangerous situation and that is a question without a good answer short of compromising your personal beliefs - can't really agree with them and can't really tell them what I just said either. Lose-lose.

Answer 4

It's not fair but it's life. you have no way of knowing if you were passed over for someone else whose political views are better matched to the company's. It's not right, but, you would have a real problem making a legal case out of it.

Answer 5

take sarah m's advice, the first answer you got. thats very shrewd advice she gave.

if that doesnt work you may want to polish up your interviewing skills at a job center. your politics may not be the problem after all.