Inappropriate Job Interview Questions

[aikorob]

Guys,
Nata has been going on a lot of job interviews lately, and there seem to be a recurring pattern.
One of the first things she is asked are questions along the lines of: "does your husband agree to you working?"; "what time does your husband come home-do you need to be there when he does?". Like she has no voice in the matter.
 
All of the question at first seem to be about MY reaction to her working; not wheather she can do the job or not.
She says it is like they are vetting ME for the job---not her.
This has happed in ALL interview--from part time work, to executive level positions.
 
Have any of your wives experienced something similar, and if so, how did they handle it?

[Muzh]

Where in the world do you live? Are women allowed to drive?

[Jumper]

Never experienced that.
It seems quite a strange line of questioning, and even more strange if its a common theme.
 
Are there very few  immigrants at all in your area?
 
 

[Ranetka]

Guys,
Nata has been going on a lot of job interviews lately, and there seem to be a recurring pattern.
One of the first things she is asked are questions along the lines of: "does your husband agree to you working?"; "what time does your husband come home-do you need to be there when he does?". Like she has no voice in the matter.
 
All of the question at first seem to be about MY reaction to her working; not wheather she can do the job or not.
She says it is like they are vetting ME for the job---not her.
This has happed in ALL interview--from part time work, to executive level positions.
 
Have any of your wives experienced something similar, and if so, how did they handle it?

Never had anything like this asked. If I was would probably say my husband agrees to anything I do.  With a smile.

[aikorob]

About 45 min SW of Atlanta
Yes, women are allowed to drive, wear shoes, and even go to school
 
There are relativly few non-hispanic immigrants around here
 
Nata says if this had been an isolated incident; she could undderstand that person's ignorance.
 
She says her usual responce is "I don't need to ask my husband's permission"

[BillyB]

 
I think certain interviews ask the question because they had bad experiences with females quiting on them. When it's time to get a job, women say they don't listen to their husbands. When it's time to quit, the standard pass the buck excuse is because husband says they can't come into work anymore effective immediately.

[Faux Pas]

aikorob


What kind of job are these interviews? Actually, under different circumstances those "could" be appropriate questions depend on the positions and/or time requirements.

[GQBlues]

There are sets of interview questions that ask probing questions along (almost) the same lines although not in the same fashion as Aikorob relayed....e.g. (paraphrased)

 
- If your position require that you work additional hours/time beyond the regular shift schedule, will there be any limitations such as domestic obligations, family, children, spouse, or physical/medical limitations etc...; that would prevent you from doing so?
 
They aren't necessarily discriminative but rather knowing beforehand who they can, and cannot, schedule for additional required hours if and when necessary.

[aikorob]

GQ--in that context, it is understandable; but she is working part time now
 
Billy-during one interview for an executive position, the guy doing the security check did say his questions were based on prior experience with immigrant women.

[searching]

Where in the world do you live? Are women allowed to drive?

He probably lives in the United States.  There are plenty of scumbags over here...

[acctBill]

aikorob I've sat in on a number of job interviews when my company was hiring for the accounting department.  The questions you've listed would not be asked in England.  In fact a company could actually be fined for asking some of them. 

My advice would be for your wife to find a different company and if she runs into the same type of questions post them on Twitter and get the reaction of the citizens of your city to such stupid and irrelevant questions.   

Questions that your wife should be asked by the company's HR department involve her resume and how she envisions her future with the company.  She should also be allowed to ask questions about her role in the company. 

[TheTraveler]

aikorob I've sat in on a number of job interviews when my company was hiring for the accounting department.  The questions you've listed would not be asked in England.  In fact a company could actually be fined for asking some of them....
 
...She should also be allowed to ask questions about her role in the company.

In England, if the interviewee asks an inappropriate question, can she be fined?

[viking]

Most people do not understand that an interview is a two way street. The company wants to make sure you are a good fit for the job and you want to make sure that the job meets your qualifications as well. If I were her, I would simply, and respectfully, tell the interviewer that it " would appear from this line of questioning that you had some issues before but rest assured my family is very much behind me, and I am quite capable of performing these functions". Then immediately start to ask questions that moves the topic to other more important things. In other words take control of the situation. They will understand that this line of questioning is now closed.

[Faux Pas]

aikorob I've sat in on a number of job interviews when my company was hiring for the accounting department.  The questions you've listed would not be asked in England.  In fact a company could actually be fined for asking some of them. 

My advice would be for your wife to find a different company and if she runs into the same type of questions post them on Twitter and get the reaction of the citizens of your city to such stupid and irrelevant questions.   

Questions that your wife should be asked by the company's HR department involve her resume and how she envisions her future with the company.  She should also be allowed to ask questions about her role in the company.

This didn't happen in England and apparently, there are some significant differences in hiring practices in the two countries (from what you state)


That line of questioning under a number of scenarios is not outside the boundaries of an interview for hiring. I have a number of positions in my company that I would ask almost the same questions. Likely worded differently but getting the desired answer. If the job requires travel, overnight travel or odd hours on a regular basis or a seasonal thing. I also inquire about children. Ages, special needs, how much time they might expect to spend with them if hired or if they even thought about it. I would ask a male applicant the same questions. Many people expect to work 8-5 M-F and all jobs do not fit that particular schedule.

[Nat]

Sounds discriminative, but totally understandable. As long as a woman doesn't have a permanent residentship or citizenship, she'll be forced to leave the country as soon as her husband divorces her, right? So employers must be afraid that if she pisses her hubby off with late returns he'll divorce her and they'll be left without their employee whom they spend time teaching and training. There must have been such cases, they wouldn't have developed such policy out of the blue...

[Faux Pas]

Sounds discriminative, but totally understandable. As long as a woman doesn't have a permanent residentship or citizenship, she'll be forced to leave the country as soon as her husband divorces her, right? So employers must be afraid that if she pisses her hubby off with late returns he'll divorce her and they'll be left without their employee whom they spend time teaching and training. There must have been such cases, they wouldn't have developed such policy out of the blue...

Might sound like it to some (obviously) but it's not. Many people are restricted as to the hours they can devote to a position/job. Depending on the position it can at times change a lifestyle. If one is married (male or female) or has children to consider, I find it is best to have these discussions up front before either the prospective employee or employer make a commitment.

[Jumper]

Sounds discriminative, but totally understandable. As long as a woman doesn't have a permanent residentship or citizenship, she'll be forced to leave the country as soon as her husband divorces her, right? So employers must be afraid that if she pisses her hubby off with late returns he'll divorce her and they'll be left without their employee whom they spend time teaching and training. There must have been such cases, they wouldn't have developed such policy out of the blue...

Nat-
 I could certainly see the angle you describe  in an interview.
 
 
I'm wonderuing if perhaps it is regional.. .
 
In my region/area, with a very large  percentage of the population being (eastern europe -specifically polish) immigrant , *generally* immigrants are viewed as more reliable ,work longer hours or are more flexibkle about overtime, and stay longer in thier jobs , than the citizen.
 
If we have two applicants of equal qualifications for the job being sought, the reality is the immigrant has  a slightly better chance at the job,  simply from a perceived better work ethic.The perception is based on the firms  past expereince.
Obviously the interview itself ,as an individual, would matter most.This is just refering to a general perception.
Not all, but most businesses in my area would probably view this similarly.
 
 
So perhaps the region she is applying in, has an opposite experience with immigrants in general,and so has adopted more specific interview questions for some of the reasons you listed.
 
 
Here,in this area, the question of your home situation and how the person  felt it reflected on their ability to work given shifts, or be flexible in thier work schedule ,might  be asked..
 but it would not specifically happen to an immigrant ,in ther fashion aikorob alluded to.
 
 

[aikorob]

I think ya'll are missing the point---except maybe for Nat (wife says she agrees with her).
BTW--- alll of these interviews have happened AFTER she got her citizenship.
 
It is not the questions of hours, family responsabilities, or other commitments that is such a PITA---that is expected in any interview.
It is the way the interviewer keeps harping on Nata having my PERMISSION to work; or needing my help to get to work; etc.
Like I said at first, most of the questions seem to be geared toward me----not what SHE can do. Basically, they are treating her like a child.
 
I can't imagine an Americal woman being asked "do you have your husband's permission to work?" in this day and age.

[Jumper]

I can't imagine an Americal woman being asked "do you have your husband's permission to work?" in this day and age

agrewed, and I dont think i missed the point.
 
In my region, I cant imagine any immigrant getting that question either.Nor has any FSU woman I have known locally , or married to.
 
It's why i was pondering if its regional.
 
 Here,(Chicago)  it would be very likely if interviewing that there would be eastern europen women through the  interview process, and because of the large population
it would not cross the interviewers minds that she was married to a Western man, the assumption would be ,if married, same culture. or more simply originally here for school or a job.
The assumption,since she was afterall at a job interview,
would be that if married, her husband regardless iof background , would be  supportive of her wortking.
 

The questions your wife has been asked, would not come up in that fashion, and certainly niot with the regularity you mention.
 
So since they are, its from her accent ?
They arnt going to know anyother way if she's a citizen..
so from  a stereotype or perception?
 
 
If an FSU woman was 4 hours south in more rural illinios ,
I could see that happening, and quite franklly likely from a MOB stereotype or perception.
As it might be the only eastern european they had interviewed or ever met?
 
 
I can't see it happening  in NYC or Chicago,
as a FSU woman being a  MOB , would be the last thing the interviewer thought of. Eastern European women are too common, someone with an accent is incredibkly common, and the thought simply wouldn't be there to ask those stereotype style questions.
 
 
Hey , It's just a theory..
it's not a knock on any region in particular..
 
but I know a Eastern European women applying for a job in Cairo, or Carbondale Illinios, are not going to be viewed the same as one applying in Chicago.
 
In Cairo her very  presense would be so unusual it might draw speculations..even a stereotype ,with questions asked to clarify (right or wrong)
 
My area, not at all,since such a large percentage of lithunian, polish, czech, serbian, croation ,ukrainian people are here.
Hundreds of thousands,
not one or two.
 
 
*shrugs*
 

[Vaughn]

I am kind of astounded at these questions, aikorob. We live in North Carolina for the record.
Smaller companies could bend the usual questions, I suppose, especially if they've been burned in the past by applicants of similar backround. Firms with an HR department, though, have a routine set of questions that specifically address items pertinent to qualification. The ability to GET to work is among these, but spousal "permission" is not.

[GQBlues]

I think ya'll are missing the point---except maybe for Nat (wife says she agrees with her).
BTW--- alll of these interviews have happened AFTER she got her citizenship.
 
It is not the questions of hours, family responsabilities, or other commitments that is such a PITA---that is expected in any interview.
It is the way the interviewer keeps harping on Nata having my PERMISSION to work; or needing my help to get to work; etc.
Like I said at first, most of the questions seem to be geared toward me----not what SHE can do. Basically, they are treating her like a child.
 
I can't imagine an Americal woman being asked "do you have your husband's permission to work?" in this day and age.

aikorob-
 
Then this is undoubtedly the very first time I've heard of this happening. Stranger still that you mentioned this happened in more than one location. I am almost convinced that something is lost in translation.

[Faux Pas]

I am kind of astounded at these questions, aikorob. We live in North Carolina for the record.
Smaller companies could bend the usual questions, I suppose, especially if they've been burned in the past by applicants of similar backround. Firms with an HR department, though, have a routine set of questions that specifically address items pertinent to qualification. The ability to GET to work is among these, but spousal "permission" is not.

"Spousal permission" would certainly be outside the norm of a question for an interview IMHO. However, such questions that could be perceived (especially by an immigrant) as spousal permission but, wasn't necessarily, I could see that happening. This drawing from somewhat similar experiences with my wife, though not the same. She often misunderstands questions posed by others, the intent and she has a very good command of the language.


aikorob, perhaps it's similar with your wife? Just a thought.


When I interview, I have a small set of standard questions that lead to other questions. Not a script from HR. Although I have had some HR training. Questions to determine suitability are not at all uncommon even though they "could" be perceived as prying.


It's kind of like a Doctor friend of mine pointed out to me once. Because he is a doctor, he can get away with asking  (completely expecting an answer) because he is a doctor, very personal questions, that other people cannot. Much the same premise with a prospective employer.

[Misha]

I can't imagine an Americal woman being asked "do you have your husband's permission to work?" in this day and age.

Very true. In most cases, even asking about marital status would be frowned upon in Canada. Given that it is a pattern, is there anything in her resume that would serve as a trigger for such questions? Or is there an assumption that if she is from the FSU as seen by her past education and work experience that she is a MOB and consequently all the stereotypes about MOB husbands kick into play?!?

[acctBill]

This didn't happen in England and apparently, there are some significant differences in hiring practices in the two countries (from what you state)


That line of questioning under a number of scenarios is not outside the boundaries of an interview for hiring. I have a number of positions in my company that I would ask almost the same questions. Likely worded differently but getting the desired answer. If the job requires travel, overnight travel or odd hours on a regular basis or a seasonal thing. I also inquire about children. Ages, special needs, how much time they might expect to spend with them if hired or if they even thought about it. I would ask a male applicant the same questions. Many people expect to work 8-5 M-F and all jobs do not fit that particular schedule.

FP companies that require an employee to travel for their job, especially companies that have HR departments, would state the requirements in the ad posting, it's going to cut down on the number of applicants, so save time and money for the company and target potential employees who are able to travel. 

There is nothing wrong with stating the requirements and reaffirming them during the interview, however questions like "does your husband agree to you working?"; "what time does your husband come home-do you need to be there when he does?" are nonsense and should not be asked and if asked should be reported.   

For my previous jobs I've travelled locally, nationally and internationally.  When I applied for the jobs the postings included information on the needed travel requirements.  When I married and had a family I was never asked how my wife would feel or if my travelling would be a problem for my family life. 

[Goombah]

Actually, I believe those are ILLEGAL questions.

Here is the short form:  http://jobsearch.about.com/od/interviewsnetworking/a/illegalinterv.htm

But Google can provide many examples.  She could actually file a claim against the company for even asking them in the USA.

This is a better link, with lots of examples:  http://www.jobinterviewquestions.org/questions/illegal-questions.asp

Oh, of course, pointing out that the questions are illegal is basically saying "No Thank you", but might prevent the next person from being asked.  On the other hand, a few companies might actually appreciate it and use it as an (illegal) test:  How does the candidate handle bad situations, and only offer her the job if she DOES tactfully object.