Interview Questions

[zebo]

I'm out of touch with interviewing but my daughter has had a number of interviews to try and return to work a year or so after her daughter was born. In these interviews, the question of her childcare arrangements has raised. I was under the impression that such questions were not permitted as they are sexually discriminatory. What's the current legal position?

[The-HouseHusband]

Firms are entitled to ask such questions as they need to ensure they are taking on a reliable employee, they are not sexually discriminating as they would ask the same questions of a man who had sole charge of the children.

[woofgang]

If your daughter is her baby's only or primary carer then the questions are relevant. If she was a bloke and was a child's only or primary carer, then the questions would be relevant. sorry but i don't see this as discriminatory. Its a while since I interviewed for the NHS but I am fairly sure that we were able to ask such questions provided we asked them of all applicants where it was relevant ie who had children and were the primary or only carer.

[zebo]

Thanks for the replies, I can understand these questions being asked, I'd ask them, but wasn't sure of the legal situation. Thanks again.