Is it legal for an employer to ask you if you have children when they're interviewing you?

shriekingvioletta

it is NOT illegal in any way, and it IS the employer's right to ask. it's one of those questions that's hard to ask in a tactful way, but in a lot of cases, it does need to be asked due to how it affects your availability to work. there are some times when an employer has to ask some sketchy questions in an interview, but most of the time, there's a reason.

kate

I'm not sure about legal ,
But it is a major problem to have to cover for people dealing with child issues .
Maybe best to reassure him there are no child care problems .
You are mature enough to have provisions made for that and fulfill your job responsibilities .

>

Captain Obvious

I doubt that is legal. It worries me that they will ask you that. I have none, by choice, and have been treated pretty badly about it.

Zuka

No. But there is nothing you can do about it. If someone asks you an unethical question in an interview, I think it might be OK to return with a white lie. Just shrug it off and say you don't know what the future holds and then get straight back to the point of the interview and stress your professional strengths and what you can bring to the company.

Good luck!

Ask M

i don't think that was an appropriate question, it is like are you single or married, and how low can go on pay, tricky

donielle

I think that is more than fine.

Gem

Borders on illegal.

But with an increased number of applicants and decreased number of jobs, get used to it.

And you can contact the EEOC, and they will send a letter saying cease & desist, but you still won't have the job.

Employers are beginning to figure 2 things out. With all the off shoring of jobs, there are many, many great employees out there. No need to settle for second rate anymore.

And secondly, most women with kids usually have attendance issues, they miss work all the time, can never work over and use up every PTO day they can land their hands on. Reality check, this costs American employers millions (if not billions) annually.

So, you need to decide if you are going to get riled up about "inapropriate" questions, or if you want to work.

Good luck

Expert Realtor

Yes, 100% illegal question. No question about it.

They can ask you how many DEPENDENTS you have AFTER they have hired you...as you know this is a common question on tax forms and health insurance, but heck no at the interview.

Harleigh

That is SO illegal it's MIND-BOGGLING.

Rock_N_Roll_Chicky

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO WAY!!! I WOULD REPORT THEM ASAP!!!

John

Yeah, it is illegal. These employers get away with to much.

lovililadi

YES! It is against the law to ask these types of questions. You should contact the U.S. equal employment opportunity commision as soon as possible.

http://www.eeoc.gov/

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