The Which? CV and Interview Handbook has been published to clear up confusion about what can and cannot be asked of candidates at interview stage.
The guide warns that questions such as age, length of experience and religious views are now illegal under discrimination legislation, and employers that fail to heed the warning can expect to pay an unlimited fine.
‘No go’ questions include:
- Are you married?
- What are your childcare arrangements?
- Are you gay?
- Are you planning to start a family soon?
- Are you a member of a trade union?
- What political party do you support?
Many candidates don’t realise they may be entitled to request flexible hours or a job share, and that employers are required to make reasonable adjustments to accommodate disabilities, says Which?.
Sue Tumelty, author of the handbook, said: “Long gone are the bad old days when a nervous interviewee had to answer all sorts of questions about their lifestyle and their personal views, rather than their ability to do the job.
“As employers can’t judge a candidate’s ability to do the job on their age, sex or religious views, for example, they’ve no business asking about these things, so interviewees are in no way compelled to answer.”
The Which? guide is published on Monday 14 January 2008.
