EEOC interviews

[snopes]

Comment: I'm trying to track down the rumor that the EEOC requires
employers to ask every job applicant the exact same questions during the
job interview. That is, asking one applicant a different question can show
discrimination.

[Errata]

Originally Posted by snopes

Comment: I'm trying to track down the rumor that the EEOC requires
employers to ask every job applicant the exact same questions during the
job interview. That is, asking one applicant a different question can show
discrimination.

It sounds like an oversimplification of the truth, but not completely made up. From the EEOC website, there are specific examples of prohibited examples during an interview. If you have a disability, the employer can't ask certain questions only of people with a disability.

These rules require you to use your judgement in interpreting them. The important thing is if the effect of the questions is discriminatory towards protected groups.

Its not true that you have to have an identical script for every candidate. For one thing, not everyone has the exact same resume, so thats going to take you in different directions. However, if you ask different questions based on the persons demographics rather than job and experience related reasons, then it could be trouble.

[mirfield]

"So then Mr Snopes. Are you planning to get pregnant?"

[Algae]

This is FOAF, but my ex-coworker told me that when she interviewed with the Detroit Public Library, she was given a written list of questions. She then read each question to the interviewer and then answered it.

We figured they were worried about EEOC and wanted to make sure each candidate got asked the same question the same way.

She did get a job there.

[pinqy]

There's no official list of prohibited questions, but any questions that reveal information that could be grounds for discrimination are presumed to be asked for discriminatory reasons. Additionally, if an employer regulary asks different questions of different employees, that could also be discrimination even if the questions wouldn't normally be considered discriminatory.

pinqy