A question in my job application form that I'm sure must be illegeal?

Hi, I recently got a job in Ireland (won't say where) and my application form was filled with the same old stuff (PPS, etc.) but I was surprised to see towards the back, a question asking what my ethnic background was, giving options of white, Asian, African, etc. I asked round my friends and they said that because they stated beforehand (which they did) that it was for statistical purposes they're allowed ask. But surely this can't be true? Just by putting 'statistical purposes' before a question shouldn't give you the right to ask something like that? I mean I heard somewhere that you're not allowed ask for marital status or even DOB so surely this shouldn't be allowed! Any thoughts?

ps I put Hispanic by the way, just to fight the system!
Additional Details
pps I was only working with them for a weekend, the form's just so I get paid, if there was any posssibility of staying on I would have answered truthfully or left it blank so they can't fire me.

Daragh

I know what you mean even in the Ikea application form they ask very sensitive questions such as marital status ethnic background including answers such as Irish traveller.

You are not required to answer these as these have no way of affecting your eligibility for the job position and you may fill out these questions at your own discretion.

Water

This is a routine question in the U.S.

The government requires companies to provide this information to prove that the company is NOT engaged in discrimination practices. The make up of a large number of employees should be close to the percentages of different ethnic backgrounds in the general populace of that area. This question is often asked to complete this obligation to the government.

I do know that any company or agency here is in deep doo-doo if they do not comply with the anti-discrimination laws.

I admit that I don't know the laws of Ireland or for that matter any other country but have heard that many countries do follow this practice if they have a multiracial populace.

It could very well be that it is nothing more than a question to fulfill that type of requirement. I know I was perplexed with this question when I first applied for a position and this was the answer I got from the personnel office.

OriginalBubble

It is a routine question on most applications nowadays

aw_ol 2

They are allowed to ask but responding to the question is entirely optional.

Mu1

It would only be illegal if the company was using the ethnicity form to discriminate...you'd have to prove they were doing that. It's used purely for statistical purposes as far as I know.

mike g

they are legally able to ask you anything on an application, now you do not have to answer the question. almost all companies have these questions on their applications now. they do only ask this for statistic purposes. you do not have to answer this section if you do not want to. and they legally can not refuse you employment because of your ethnicity. if you don't like the question leave it blank, you are aloud to.

Marino

They should have asked: JUST HOW STUPID ARE YOU?".. instead of ethnic origin because if you answered HISPANIC then you can be FIRED when they find out THAT IS A LIE...

Stripes

I think that was not that big a deal to ask your ethnicity.

Lisa T

yes this is illegal as they can be biased / discriminatory and or racist by choosing what race to hire

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