Employers still asking banned questions

[kj]

Just spotted this interesting article on the BBC new website. Apparently a lot of employers are still asking those applying for positions questions which are now illegal, such as age, experience, religion and family questions. I didn't actually realise those were all illegal but had doubts.

Anyway, here is the article.
BBC NEWS | Business | Bosses still ask banned questions

Makes interesting reading. But would you have the courage to politely decline to answer those questions? Surely that would piss off your prospective employer? If it did would they be the kind of people you'd like to work for?

[Vikrum]

My stepmum is an employment lawyer. She applied for a position at a big city branch a few years back and was genuinely asked if she was thinking of starting a family any time soon(!) She walked out, and damn right!

I'd do exactly the same. People who want to ask those sort of questions aren't even worth declining politely. I'd be out of there.

I don't even like ticking my ethnicity on applications and questionaires etc. I don't see how it's relevant.

[humndislocation]

The other ones I can understand, but why can't you ask about the amount of experience someone has? Some jobs require experience.

[Rosco the magnificent]

You've got to tick the box to see that companies are employing enough ethnic minorities. It's a load of crap really - if the 100 best applicants are all white, employ them. If they're all black, or Asian or Chinese, employ them. I'm sure 99.9% of employers want the person that's best for the job, doesn't matter what colour their skin is.

[humndislocation]

I've never had to tick any kind of equal opportunities box when applying for jobs. The only equal opportunities stuff I've seen has been completely voluntary

[njw]

I really dont understand how people arent allowed to ask questions regarding your experience?

Most jobs I see advertised ALL call for 'experience necessary', 'minimum 3 years experience', etc.

Or are we talking a different type of experience here?

[njw]

Also, the dundee city council job applications, of which I have filled in many, ALL require you to state your age, nationality, ethnicity (sp?).

The first things I write on their application forms are - 'MALE', '18-25', 'BRITISH', 'WHITE', 'NO DISABILITY'.

I believe this is all part of the 'Guaranteed Job Interview' scheme, which REALLY pisses me off, as it means that all disabled people are guaranteed to be selected for the interview process, whereas people like me don't due to a lack of experience in the relevant areas.

[xglitter-me-upx]

Originally Posted by humndislocation

The other ones I can understand, but why can't you ask about the amount of experience someone has? Some jobs require experience.

After a discussion on this in another place I frequent, most of the people were saying it was because it would give a hint towards their age.
I'm sure they are still able to ask what kind of experience they have in whichever field they applied for, just not the length of it.

[Ritchie Ramone]

Originally Posted by xglitter-me-upx

After a discussion on this in another place I frequent, most of the people were saying it was because it would give a hint towards their age.

Surely though most jobs still require the applicant to submit an application form and/or CV, either of which would - to an extent - give their age and level of experience away?

[RealR]

Originally Posted by njw

Also, the dundee city council job applications, of which I have filled in many, ALL require you to state your age, nationality, ethnicity (sp?).

The first things I write on their application forms are - 'MALE', '18-25', 'BRITISH', 'WHITE', 'NO DISABILITY'.

I believe this is all part of the 'Guaranteed Job Interview' scheme, which REALLY pisses me off, as it means that all disabled people are guaranteed to be selected for the interview process, whereas people like me don't due to a lack of experience in the relevant areas.

Yeah they asked several "taboo" questions which I thought was pretty bizarre. I agree about the Guaranteed Job Interview scheme being ridiculous. Why should someone get a head start over me because they are disabled? How the hell is that promoting equality?

[RealR]

Originally Posted by kj

...Makes interesting reading. But would you have the courage to politely decline to answer those questions? Surely that would piss off your prospective employer? If it did would they be the kind of people you'd like to work for?

I'd have no problem with answering.

BTW the "No Go" areas are:
How old are you?
Are you married?
Are you gay?
What are your childcare arrangements?
Are you planning to start a family soon?
Are you a member of a trade union?
What political party do you support?

[ArchFlameTera]

Originally Posted by develion

I'd have no problem with answering.

BTW the "No Go" areas are:
How old are you?
Are you married?
Are you gay?
What are your childcare arrangements?
Are you planning to start a family soon?
Are you a member of a trade union?
What political party do you support?

You could have a bit of fun with them, and convince them your an 87 year old in a polygamous marriage (2 husbands, 2 wives) that leaves your kids at home all day and are planning to have another 3 kids per wife in the next year and follow a neo-nazi group.

[AlanG]

Originally Posted by develion

Yeah they asked several "taboo" questions which I thought was pretty bizarre. I agree about the Guaranteed Job Interview scheme being ridiculous. Why should someone get a head start over me because they are disabled? How the hell is that promoting equality?

Because research has shown systematic discrimination in employment so people who have a disability are less likely to get an interview because they have a disability, women are still discriminated against because they may fall pregnant and take time off (paid) and so on. Some industries are worse than others, Oxfam is probably more women/minority friendly than the Met for example. Until that kind of discriminatory behaviour is stopped someone needs to be done to redress the balance. The current policies may not be brilliant but they are far better than what it was like without them.