Interview Considerations and Best Practices

Name

Name

Inquiry into any title which indicates race, color, religion, national origin, disability status, age, sex, pregnancy status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, military status, veteran status, or ancestry of the applicant

Address

Inquiry into place of and length at current address

Inquiry into any previous address(es)

Age

None (unless a bona fide occupational requirement, which must be approved by HR)

Any inquiry regarding age (unless a bona fide occupational requirement, which must be approved by HR), including the following:

• Any request for a birth certificate or baptismal record prior to hire
• Any inquiry which may reveal the date of high school graduation
• Any other inquiry which may reveal an applicant’s age

Birthplace, National Origin or Ancestry

None

Any inquiry regarding birthplace, national origin and ancestry, including the following:

• Any inquiry into place of birth
• Any inquiry into place of birth of parents, grandparents, spouse or partner.
• Any other inquiry into national origin or ancestry.

Race, Ethnicity or Color

None

Any inquiry which would indicate race, ethnicity and/or color

Sex

None (unless a bona fide occupational requirement, which must  be approved by HR)

Any inquiry which would indicate sex (unless a bona fide occupational requirement, which must be approved by HR)

Gender, Gender Expression and/or Gender Identity

None

Any inquiry which would indicate gender, gender expression and/or gender identity

Sexual Orientation

None

Any inquiry which would indicate sexual orientation

Height and/or Weight

None (unless a bona fide occupational requirement, which must  be approved by HR)

Any inquiry which would indicate height or weight (unless a bona fide occupational requirement, which must be approved by HR)

Religion and/or Creed

None

Any inquiry regarding religion and/or creed, including the following:

Any inquiry which would indicate or identify religious denomination or custom or creed.

Disability

Inquiries necessary to determine individual’s ability to perform the essential functions of a position with or without a reasonable accommodation

• Any inquiry into past or current medical conditions
• Any inquiry into Worker’s Compensation or similar claims
• Any inquiry that would indicate an individual’s specific or type of disability
• What type of accommodation a candidate currently needs or may have previously used

Citizenship

“Are you legally eligible to work in the United States?”  (This may only be asked if it is asked of all applicants.)

• Any inquiry into citizenship (unless citizenship is a bona fide occupational requirement, which must be approved by Human Resources)
• Any inquiry into visa status
• Any inquiry about whether parents or spouse/partner are native-born or naturalized

Family Status

None

Inquiry or discussion about marital status, number and age of children, pregnancy, child care arrangements, or maternity plans.

Arrest and Convictions

None

This is covered by university-required background checks.

Education

·  Inquiry into nature and extent of academic, professional or vocational training

·  Inquiry into language skills, such as reading and writing of foreign languages, if job related

• Any inquiry which would reveal the nationality or religious affiliation of a school
• Inquiry as to what native language is or how foreign-language ability was acquired

Relatives

None

Any inquiry about a relative which would be unlawful if made about the applicant

Organizations

Inquiry into membership in professional organizations and offices held, excluding any organization, the name or character of which indicates the race, color, religion, gender, national origin, disability, age, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy status, military status, veteran status, or ancestry of its members

Inquiry into every club or organization where membership is held

Military Service

Human Resources may require military discharge verification after being hired

• Inquiry into military service in armed services
• Request military service records
• Inquiry into the type of discharge

Work Schedule

Inquiry into willingness or ability to work required work schedule

Any inquiry into willingness or ability to work any particular religious holidays

Miscellaneous

Questions required to reveal qualifications for the job applied for

Non-job related inquiry which may elicit or attempts to elicit any information concerning race, color, religion, national origin, disability status, age, sex, pregnancy status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, military status, veteran status, or ancestry of an applicant for employment

References

General personal and work references which do not reveal a protected class status including the race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, military status, veteran status, national origin, disability, age or ancestry of the applicant

Request references specifically from clergy or any other persons who might reflect race, color, religion, national origin, disability status, age, sex, pregnancy status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, military status, veteran status, or ancestry of the applicant