I was indirectly asked my age because the interviewer asked my children's ages. Also in a previous interview for the same job, I was asked how I would handle a career and my kids. Married men are not asked these questions so its not fair. I was also asked to give consent for a background check and the interviewer said, "if you have anything to confess. Tell me now".
Well I was once arrested but the charges were dropped ie: no convictions in my history. So I didn't confess anything to him. Besides its against the law to discriminate against someone based on an arrest record only. If I had a record of convictions that would be another story. In the end I wasn't hired. I was more than qualified.I had to email the HR person to find out their decision...she lied claiming she left me a voicemail but she didn't. This was a two month hiring process so the HR person and I had many phone conversations and emails back and forth. Its odd that she lied about her final communication.
2007-03-06 10:34:31 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Business & Finance ➔ Careers & Employment
Most jobs will do a complete background check. However if you were not convicted this shouldn't have been an issue. During the hiring process the employer has a right to ask you how you would handle a career and your kids. They are looking for a commitment, and if you can't fully commit to the job, this can hurt you. It is an investment on their part to take in a new employee.
I wouldn't really call anything that happened here discrimination.
2007-03-06 10:43:00 · answer #1 · answered by millionsofsubys 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
During an interview the interviewer is not allowed to ask you about children, ages or anything like that as this is illegal and has nothing to do with the job requirements. (Unless it's a day care center that you want to bring your children to and work at at the same time). And asking how you would handle your career and kids is also not allowed. But proving that was asked of you might be difficult and costly for you to sue them for. In a background check the only thing that will come up is convictions and time spent in jail, not arrests so I don't think that was an issue. It seems that the person interviewing made decisions based on your answers regarding children, which is illegal, but again, proving it would be difficult. I think the HR person got caught in the middle of the whole situation and did not know how to get out of it. She sounds like she is trying to find the best way out of a bad situation and breaking the news to you. It's never easy to tell someone that they did not get the job, and some times we are not able to tell the candidates the real reason why they didn't get the job. Some times it's money, some times it's a feeling of how that person would get along with the workers they are hiring for, some times it's previous experience, some times it's just a "gut" instinct about a person that makes a decision. "Is this person going to stick around or are they going to take this job until they find another one and then leave right away?"
2007-03-06 11:45:13 · answer #2 · answered by hr4me 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I am not sure how long you have been on the job market, but there is no discrimination here.
Companies will routinely disqualify a candidate based solely on their background check. I have been in retail for many years now, and have met many people that claimed they have clean backgrounds, and when it comes back, they have a conviction for something. Even if it is minor, they lied to me, and I don't want someone like that on my team.
While I wouldn't ask the ages of your children, I would want to know that you have babysitting, transportation, etc taken care of. There may be times that you are needed unexpectedly, and I want to know if I can count on you. This has nothing more to do the process, than determining your availability for the position.
Instead of blaming everyone else for why you didn't get the position, figure out what you did wrong, and move on to the next opportunity.
Remember, sometimes you can do everything correctly, and still not be the best person for the job.
2007-03-06 10:53:48 · answer #3 · answered by pnk517 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It is illegal to ask an applicant their age, but if you volunteer it, they haven't done anything illegal. Asking your children's ages does not tell them anything about your age. You could have had children at 15 or 45. And unless you can prove they didn't hire you because of your age, you don't have a case against them.
While it may be illegal to discriminate in hiring based on arrest records only, if you didn't tell them you had an arrest and they found it in the background check, they may be able to deny you employment based on the fact you didn't tell the whole truth on your application, depending on how it was worded.
2007-03-06 10:48:24 · answer #4 · answered by Brian G 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Unfortunately, you first need to prove it.That may be quite difficult. There could be many factors involved. Its also possible that when they ran the background the got info on the wrong person with the same name and based it on that. Rare I know, but still possible. It also depends on the kind of job you were applying for. Hope this helps.
The Syko Ward
2007-03-06 10:42:11 · answer #5 · answered by The Syko Ward 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't think I'd want to work for a company like this!
If they would lie to you before you work there and treat you badly, imagine what their staff must be dealing with.
Sounds like it's a good thing - I bet there's something else just around the corner for you.
2007-03-06 10:39:03 · answer #6 · answered by what's up? 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
thats discrimination
JAck for dictator of the WORLD!
you ad a friend get the fancy gift baskets
2007-03-06 10:40:42 · answer #7 · answered by are you the evil man 1 · 0⤊ 2⤋