13:56 by FoxTwo
10 Illegal Job Interview Questions - Is Singapore Ready?
I thought I'd comment on the 10 points brought up in the local context:
#1: Where were you born?
Say what? You're kidding right? It's such a common question here, and it's asked in the APPLICATION FORM you fill in before the interview - right under "Place Of Birth".
#2: What is your native language?
Hmm so they can't even ask our ethnic background eh? Cool.
#3: Are you married?
#4: Do you have children?
#5: Do you plan to get pregnant?
All the above are meant not to discriminate against the applicant if they are married or have a family. In Singapore, I believe many employers would consider these are "critical" questions. I hate to say it, but my own boss refuses to hire women just because "they're too much trouble to worth it".
#6: How old are you?
Again, this one's right there on the application form, right under "Age" column.
#7: Do you observe Yom Kippur?
In local context, it'd be asking the applicant if he/she observes Christmas, or Ramadan, etc. Very few employers I know ask this, but I never knew it should be illegal...
#8: Do you have a disability or chronic illness?
Ok this one got me too.... I believe this is also listed on some company's application form too, ie you must declare yourself fit and healthy BEFORE the interview....
#9: Are you in the National Guard?
In Singapore's context, it's asking the guy "Are you still doing Reservist?". I don't see many employers in Singapore asking this, but mainly cos it's a pointless question - 90% of the time the answer will be "YES" heheheh!
#10: Do you smoke or use alcohol?
I agree - this question should be illegal. As long as I get work done you shouldn't care how I live my life.
All in all, if these 10 questions were to be outlawed in Singapore, I bet employers would run out of questions to ask, and I guess it *would* level the playing field for candidates. In an ideal world, these questions would never even need to be asked. In Singapore.... *chuckle* I don't see it happening in my lifetime...
Labels: business, company, employer, Singapore, workplace ethics
-
chan @ Tuesday, October 23, 2007 11:58:00 PM Well, the reason these types of question are illegal in America is that racial discrimination was (still is?) a serious problem in its history. As recently 60 years ago, blacks were still getting lynched and hanged, denied jobs because of their skin color etc. Other non-whites (latinos, asians) also faced similar problems.
Over here we also have (racial,gender,age)discrimination though not as blatant. I honestly think we should follow the American standards. -
FoxTwo @ Wednesday, October 24, 2007 6:14:00 PM I know, but the point is, some of these questions are so commonly asked here that no one here would bat an eyelid to them.
But some of them I agree - should not be asked and should be illegal, even here. It doesn't matter if you're married or not, it shouldonly matter if you can perform the job.
