Religious questions on personality test at State Farm?

Question

Due to the results I was denied a job. Do I have a case with the EEOC for employment discrimination because they asked religious questions on a test that would determine my ability to be hired?

Answer 1

What were the religious questions? Personality tests are a bunch of hocus-pocus, the current trend in hiring, and are absolute crap if they are not administered, asessed, and handled properly. I would have refused it without seeing proper credentials beforehand. To me, those tests are deeply invasive, and should be illegal.

Answer 2

I can't imagine a large company like State Farm using religious questions on a personality test. I have taken these tests before (worked for State Farm but never had to take a personality test) and there was never any type of religious questions on them. The tests are surprisingly accurate if you are relaxed when taking them and answer honestly. I read the results for the last one I took and was shocked at how on the mark it was.

If I were you I would contact State Farm and asked them the reason for not hiring you. Tell them that you believe it was due to the questions on the test and ask them if they would be willing to show you the results. You may be surprised at the results.

Answer 3

You were only discriminated against if your answers to the religious questions prevented your employment. The trouble is, State Farm would have to admit it. I suggest you contact the EEOC and see what they say.

There have been quite a number of class action lawsuits and suits brought by the EEOC against employers because of the inclusion of religious questions on employment personality tests. For example, in 1989, Target was sued because its test asked questions such as:

1) I believe my sins are unpardonable.
2) Evil spirits possess me sometimes.
3) I feel sure there is only one true religion.
4) I go to church almost every week.

Because Target couldn't provide a compelling reason why its test had to ask these questions, it chose to pay a multi-million dollar settlement. This story is not at all unique.

Answer 4

From this bit of information, the answer would seem to be yes. However, State Farm is no employment law dummy... what were the natuer of these "religious questions"? Was it to see your general knowledge of religion (because of a specific contact that you may have in your job)? Was it to see if you, yourself, were hostile to people of faith (which might make you a risk to be a customer service agent)? If state farm can prove that it did not make its determination based on YOUR religion, but on a non-neutral factor (and/or prove that your religion was not the primary reason for your denial and that there was a substantial, non-discriminatory reason for your denial) then they win. So these are uphill battles, but CERTAINLY seek LEGAL ADVICE. Also note that the time to file a complaint with the EEOC runs QUICKLY from the adverse employment action (I think as short as 90 days), so GET CRACKING!

Answer 5

How do you know it was the religious question that caused you to be denied a job?

It seems unlikely that a large company like State Farm would set themselves up for such a liability. Why do you consider the question to be religious?

Answer 6

It is illegal to deny employment based on race, gender, of religious affilations, so unless they can prove you weren;t hired for another reason

Answer 7

I've never seen anybody asking about religion in any application for a Job, I think if they did ask anything about it it is wrong. It is nobody business what you believe in or not.

Answer 8

Just be sure you have everything documented because you're the one that has to show burden of proof. Make sure of your statute of limitations. Don't let to much time pass. Good Luck.

Answer 9

I'd say yes unless you were applying for a job at a church!

Answer 10

Maybe