Confused about an interview...?

Question

I went in for an interview today for an office manager position. The owner of the company asked the typical, tell me about your background and family questions, and I was certain I had the job in the bag. He put me to work 20 minutes after I got there. Three hours later, he comes in the office, and tells me that there's another person they're considering. He said that I was more experienced with the system they're using, and I have the know how, but she's older. (I'm 27) He also said he's concerned about the fact that my husband will be deployed overseas, and if he dies I may want to go back home.
He asked that I call in the morning and set up an interview with his wife, so she can decide if I get the job.
My question is, should either of these factors determine if I get the job? I'm thinking not. I feel like I'm being discriminated against because of my age and my husbands job. If it is discrimination, is it worth trying to do anything about it?

I just wanted to add, I'm not sitting over here adding up dollar signs thinking of pursuing a lawsuit. What I mean by doing something about it, is perhaps there's an agency I can report the guy to.

Answer 1

You bet - that's major discrimination in two categories: 1.) age; 2.) marital status. You do not want to work for someone who is so insensitive as to say, I don't want you to work here because if your husband dies, you'll leave them. That's horrible!!! Imagine what it would be like to work for them. Also, they should definitely consider experience over age! Age shouldn't even be a factor because it is discriminatory. I recommend finding another job - that sounds like a really bad job from the get go. Good luck with your search! God bless you and your husband for serving our country and protecting us. I am grateful!

Answer 2

There are questions that cannot be asked of you during an interview. I very much doubt that questions about your family are legal or legit.

If you don't get the job, consider consulting with an attorney.

I think you are on the right track considering the comments of your prospective employer as discriminatory.

Having said all that, consider that if this is the way they start out with the employee/employer relationship, it may not be the best place to work. If they are willing to cross the line before you are even hired, likely that behavior will continue after.

PS - I assume you are getting paid for the time you spent there working.

PPS - Tell your husband Ipsydoodle sends a snappy cyber-salute his way. Good luck.

Answer 3

I would make them an offer if they don't want to give you the job. You tell them that you won't go to the Department of Labor, the Veteran's Administration, your state department of labor, the press and the courts and explain how they refused to hire you because you are a military spouse if they give you $500,000.

Denying a military spouse is illegal and real unpopular. These are probably nice people, looking out for their business but they don't know the law. Once they have denied you, what ever their stated reason at that time, you have his statement and your resume to refute their stated reason.

If they refuse I would sue them and file complaints with the government agencies mentioned above and go to the press. This is a serious and common form of discrimination. It needs to be stopped.

Answer 4

Uhhh...Obviously they are idiots!

First of all it's illegal for him to ask you about your family life durring an interview. As a matter of fact any personal questions are off limits (Where you live, your age, if your married, do you have children, do you have any disabilities...). All of those questions can be considered as descrimination.... and for him to actually say they are considering someone else due to her being older --- Yeah....totally age discrimination....and yeah --- they are wrong about your husbands job being a factor.

If I were you I'd kick that job to the curb but I would say something to that company ---- They seriously need to get a clue.

You could consult an attorney but is it worth it?

Answer 5

that is discrimination whether you're 40 or not. I can't believe they would say that about IF your husband dies. That is ridiculous! I wouldn't go threatening them with an attorney, but if you don't get hired and they say that this is why, you should definitely consult one on this matter and see what your options are, and then take action if things look good in your favor.

Answer 6

With age, it's only discrimination if you are over 40. And your husband's job isn't something that's the basis for discrimination. So there's nothing you can do based on discrimination, he hasn't done anything illegal.

But do you really want to work for this guy? Frankly, with his comment about if your husband is killed overseas, he sounds like a real jerk.

Good luck in finding a job that works for you, and good luck to your husband in his deployment.

Answer 7

Is it discrimination? Absolutely.

Is it legal? If you are 27, absolutely.

Do you want to work for this guy? Absolutely not.

That -- don't chose to work for jerks -- is the life lesson from this little experience.

Oh, and a word of warning, if you chose to turn every little disappointment into causeable action, you will become a jerk no one wants to work for or with.

I know you are dissappointed and he clearly has issues, but you worked for him for 20 minutes. 20 minutes...20 days is stick out your tongue level.

Answer 8

sometimes human beings do a 2d interview to work out in the experience that your 2d time solutions experience the 1st ones. in the event that they capture you in some form of lie, they probable won't desire to hire you. different cases it is merely prevalent to do 2 interviews fantastically with an important interest alongside with regulation enforcement. i do no longer think of you're in hardship, their merely being thorough. solid success with the interest.