Searching for a job can feel like a Herculean task in many job markets these days. For some job searchers, it can become difficult to know just what is reasonable to submit to as part of the interview process, especially if an employer begins to ask questions that seem unrelated to the job prospect at hand. While many potential employees are willing to divulge just about any personal information out of desperation for employment, an employer may actually be seriously overstepping the bounds of what is acceptable to ask.
This is a fine line to tread for employers and potential employees. The employer does have a vested interest in understanding what kind of person he or she is potentially hiring and how that person may fit with the corporate culture established within the company. Of course, it is no stretch of the imagination to think that many employers may take that interest and abuse it.
There are a number of kinds of information you are not necessarily required to give an employer if you do not feel comfortable doing so. For instance, you are not legally required to disclose personal information such as whether or not you are married, have children or plan to have children. Furthermore, you do not have to discuss your religious beliefs or practices if you do not wish to do so. These are only some of the things you are not required to disclose.
if you encounter these kinds of questions, consider carefully if this is an employer you really want to work for. If you do take a job with a company that asks such personal questions, be prepared to scrutinize any employment contract or rules of conduct that you receive. An experienced attorney can help you identify personal privacy violations and protect your rights in the workplace.
Source: Findlaw, “How To Get Hired: Legal Do’s and Don’ts,” accessed Sep. 01, 2017