Avoiding Illegal Interview Questions

Interviewers are prohibited from asking certain questions that can be used to discriminate against potential employees on the basis of race, sex, disability, and a wide range of other factors. Employers have a responsibility to review their hiring practices and make sure that all interview questions are legal to ask. Sadly, not all employers adhere to federal laws and some may attempt to pressure prospective employees into answering illegal questions.

Should I Answer an Illegal Question?

If you are asked an illegal interview question, you are not obligated to answer it. If you feel the question was asked in error and you wish to avoid it gracefully, try one of the following tactics:

• Provide an answer to a similar question that the employer is legally allowed to ask.
• Avoid the question by changing the subject.
• Point out politely that the employer is not legally allowed to ask the question.

Review the types of questions that are illegal to ask before you head to a job interview. If you feel pressured to answer an illegal question, or if you are asked multiple illegal questions, you may want to reconsider your desire to work for that particular company or organization, and you may want to consider pursuing legal action against the employer for discriminatory hiring practices.

Contact Us

If you have been subjected to illegal interview questions, you may have the right to pursue legal action against the employer. Contact the Austin interview discrimination attorneys of The Melton Law Firm, at 512-330-0017 today for more information on your legal rights and options.