Discriminatory Questions

Although this type of question is becoming less common, some candidates may still be confronted with queries that may not be addressed to other applicants. Whilst it is acceptable for an employer to ask questions to find out whether you can meet the needs of the job, it is essential that all candidates should be asked the same questions, regardless of race or gender.

For example, a reasonable question to all candidates might be:

"You will be required to work away from home for up to a month at a time. Will you be able to do that?"

However, simply directing the question to female applicants and asking them about their childcare arrangements would not.

Discriminatory questions need to be handled very carefully. You need to clarify the interviewer's intention and the relevance of the question. It could be that the interviewer is just clumsy rather than malicious. However, if you feel that you have been discriminated against in your interview, you can contact the Equal Opportunities Commission who will advise you about what action to take.