Interview Failure

[almaty 19]

....the only gripe I had with the whole interview, and I don't think this was the reason I didn't get offered the job, was they asked me directly if I had children and what my 'childcare provisions' were if I was offered the position.

That's a question I wouldn't dare ask in an interview. It doesn't in any way, shape or form pertain to the job in question. All the interviewer is entitled to quiz you on is your ability to meet the attendance requirements. Period.

Don't answer that kind of stuff. If asked such nonsense again, tell an interviewer politely: "I will pretend that you didn't ask this question. However, if there is a concern about my ability to meet the company's attendance requirements, let me assure you that I will report to work as scheduled as I have done in previous positions. There has never been an attendance problem with any previous employer and I intent to keep it that way.

Truth be told, the fact that you even have kids has no place in the interview either.

Quite honestly, I'm not even sure if they can legally ask you that, at least not in the US (or so I thought). It has no bearing on your abilities for the job.

legally, they cannot ask that question....worked in hr before.

[Sister Fracas 5]

The thing is they can ask it, but they can't hold it against you when considering you for the job. It's a really fine line there.

It certainly does seem to be a fine line...this is what I found at http://jobsearchtech.about.com/od/interview/l/aa022403.htm

What are Illegal Interview Questions?

In the U.S., illegal interview questions are those that discriminate against you on the basis of

Age

Color

Disability

Gender

National origin

Race

Religion or Creed

Although they're coined illegal interview questions, the act of asking them is not necessarily illegal. For example, according to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (ADEA) does not make it illegal for an employer to ask an applicant's age or date of birth. But the ADEA does make it illegal to deny employment, solely because the applicant is 40 years of age or older. So, while asking the question isn't illegal, a discriminatory motive behind it is, when it ultimately denies employment.

Sorry this happened to you Sister Welch Cake...but it looks like you are seeing the positives in that it gave you interview experience and hells bells...you wouldn't want to work for these numpties anyway!

[faith 0]

I did some reading up on it this morning... and it seems like if they WORD the question right it's not illegal. However, the child care one does seem to be illegal unless it directly is involved with the job description.

[Sister Fracas 5]

seems too grey...

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

seems too grey...

...which is why I never even go anywhere near these topics during interviews.

[faith 0]

the only time I ever had a prospective employer ask me that was when they actually offered day care so it was never an issue.

the only time I ever had a prospective employer ask me that was when they actually offered day care so it was never an issue.

[Sister Fracas 5]

seems too grey...

...which is why I never even go anywhere near these topics during interviews.

[Dixie_Peach 1]

....the only gripe I had with the whole interview, and I don't think this was the reason I didn't get offered the job, was they asked me directly if I had children and what my 'childcare provisions' were if I was offered the position.

That's a question I wouldn't dare ask in an interview. It doesn't in any way, shape or form pertain to the job in question. All the interviewer is entitled to quiz you on is your ability to meet the attendance requirements. Period.

Don't answer that kind of stuff. If asked such nonsense again, tell an interviewer politely: "I will pretend that you didn't ask this question. However, if there is a concern about my ability to meet the company's attendance requirements, let me assure you that I will report to work as scheduled as I have done in previous positions. There has never been an attendance problem with any previous employer and I intent to keep it that way.

Truth be told, the fact that you even have kids has no place in the interview either.

[tsunamihart 0]

Not so grey, I'm a mediator and we've done many an EEOC employment discrimination, check the EEOC website. Look here as well Illegal Interview questions