Ramdon question, Employer asking age

LadyMissA

mountainofdebt wrote: »

I appreciate that its against the law to discriminate on the basis of age but I really do despair when you've got to the situation where an employer can't even ask a person's age now.

At the end of the day, if the employer prefers an older or a younger person , a man or a woman for the role then they will choose the person that fits their preferred specification - all it means by not being allowed to ask these questions is that people's time are wasted

there is really no need to ask the age of the person unless the law states it for the job like when booze is concerned or a driving licence or something

mountainofdebt

LadyMissA wrote: »

there is really no need to ask the age of the person unless the law states it for the job like when booze is concerned or a driving licence or something

Still don't understand why people get so up tight about telling someone their age - after all its not something to be ashamed of is it?

I have to admit that if someone was treating their dob a state secret then I would have to think twice about employing them.

LadyMissA

mountainofdebt wrote: »

Still don't understand why people get so up tight about telling someone their age - after all its not something to be ashamed of is it?

I have to admit that if someone was treating their dob a state secret then I would have to think twice about employing them.

An interviewer should not really ask any question that doesn’t relate to the job that they wouldn't be prepared to answer themselves.

Some employers ask women in particular all sorts of questions like, are you married, do you have a boyfriend, do you have children, do you want children etc to see if they are likely to go on maternity leave sometime soon.

mountainofdebt

LadyMissA wrote: »

An interviewer should not really ask any question that doesn’t relate to the job that they wouldn't be prepared to answer themselves.

Some employers ask women in particular all sorts of questions like, are you married, do you have a boyfriend, do you have children, do you want children etc to see if they are likely to go on maternity leave sometime soon.

Well on the basis you need neither a husband or a boyfriend these days to become pregnant then the second set of questions are pretty useless in determining whether someone will be going on maternity leave doesn't it?

Have to say I've never had a problem in telling someone my age if asked so again I repeat I can't understand why some people get so arsy about it.

LadyMissA

mountainofdebt wrote: »

Well on the basis you need neither a husband or a boyfriend these days to become pregnant then the second set of questions are pretty useless in determining whether someone will be going on maternity leave doesn't it?

Have to say I've never had a problem in telling someone my age if asked so again I repeat I can't understand why some people get so arsy about it.

then its ok to ask the interviewer how old they are and if they have kids and a family etc

mountainofdebt

LadyMissA wrote: »

then its ok to ask the interviewer how old they are and if they have kids and a family etc

Don't know legally if it is - though it wouldn't surprise me if it wasn't - but why not ? Why the need for cloaks and daggers?

LadyMissA

mountainofdebt wrote: »

Don't know legally if it is - though it wouldn't surprise me if it wasn't - but why not ? Why the need for cloaks and daggers?

So it's legal for them to ask you it though? Why would it be illegal to ask the interviewer what their family situation is and age if they can ask you? There is no cloaks and daggers, like I say do not ask something thats not work/job related and not be expected to get the same question back.

mountainofdebt

LadyMissA wrote: »

So it's legal for them to ask you it though? Why would it be illegal to ask the interviewer what their family situation is and age if they can ask you? There is no cloaks and daggers, like I say do not ask something thats not work/job related and not be expected to get the same question back.

Oops that will teach me to read things properly! I don't think its illegal to ask the interviewer their age or family situation but I guess I wouldn't be getting the job if I did as no doubt it would be considered very rude of me if I did.

Look I don't have a problem in anyone asking me how old I am or what my family situation is - but I guess you do - and also I don't understand why people would.

LadyMissA

mountainofdebt wrote: »

Oops that will teach me to read things properly! I don't think its illegal to ask the interviewer their age or family situation but I guess I wouldn't be getting the job if I did as no doubt it would be considered very rude of me if I did.

Look I don't have a problem in anyone asking me how old I am or what my family situation is - but I guess you do - and also I don't understand why people would.

Because its none of their business till you get the job & nothing to do with the job. You are judged on your age and marital status. If it's rude of me to ask them that, then maybe interviewers need to think more what they asking people and if its appropriate.

mountainofdebt

LadyMissA wrote: »

Because its none of their business till you get the job & nothing to do with the job. You are judged on your age and marital status. If it's rude of me to ask them that, then maybe interviewers need to think more what they asking people and if its appropriate.

OK I think its time to call it quits on this one. You obviously have an issue with a potential employer knowing basic information about a candidate - whereas I,and I suspect most of the rational element of the population don't.

Taking the attitude that you seem to think is OK I know, if I was the interviewer, I wouldn't care how old you were or what your marital status was as your application would be in the bin the moment you left the room.