Interview questions that employers have no right to ask!

When looking for a new job, the interview process can be gruelling. But there are some questions that employers really have no right to ask. Do you know what they are? 

When partaking in interviews, your manager or potential employer has every right to ask you questions relating to the job. This can include character traits such as ‘Can you give me an example of when you overcame a problem at work’ or ‘Would you say you are a team player?’ But seeking personal information that is completely irrelevant to the job description or working environment is not acceptable. 

By law interviewers are not allowed to require a candidate to supply information that could be used to form the basis of discrimination. This could be information around sexuality, political stance, race, ethnicity, gender or age. The reason questions like this are unlawful is due to the simple fact that these factors are not relevant to a potential employee’s ability to perform a job.

Here are some questions that should not be asked in an interview by law: 

• Are you in a same-sex relationship?
• Aren’t you a little young to hold a position of this level?
• Aren’t you a little old to be on this salary? 
• What’s your ethnic background?
• What is your native tongue? 
• What religion are you?
• Are you pregnant or planning to start a family?
• Are you planning on getting married soon? 
• Who do you vote for?
• Do you have a physical or mental disability?
• How did you acquire your disability?

The only reason one of these questions could be considered lawful is if it directly affects the candidates ability to perform their role. For example if the job requires long hours of manual labour and the candidate has a disability which prevents them being able to fulfil these hours. 

The 1st recruitment team are specialists in our sector. For support and advice at interview stage or at any stage of your job hunt, get in touch with one of our consultants on consultants@1strecruit.co.uk or 01534 875444.