Interview questions : Inappropriate or illegal ?

[WarmBlanket]

Recently I contacted a Surgical Center that was looking for a PRN nurse . The job was posted on a reputable internet site . I phoned the center and was transferred to the physician that I would be working with . After informing him of my qualifications he asked me these questions : What is your age ? How tall are you ? How much do you weigh ? Do you exercise and look fit ? What was my hair color ? He then asked me if I had a recent picture of myself to email along with my resume . When I mentioned how unusual his questions were , the explanation was " we work with models and wealthy patients and want our staff to represent our standard of beauty "

I find it stunning and scary that this surgeon places looks over competency , but what I really want to know is were his questions illegal ?

[AmaurosisFugax]

Technically it is not illegal to ask any question (freedom of speech); it is illegal to discriminate based on them. And the interviewee has the right to refuse to answer any question. However since asking them immediately raises a red flag, most inerviewers wont ask them.

Unlike race, gender, age etc, physical beauty (or perceived lack of it) is not a protected entity...an employer can legally hire a beautiful person over a homely one (from their point of view of course).

[classicdame, MSN, EdD]

probably illegal, certainly unprofessional, and tells you where his priorities are. Stay away. He is looking to gawk and grope, not have a team member.

[TampaTech]

technically it is not illegal to ask any question (freedom of speech); it is illegal to discriminate based on them. and the interviewee has the right to refuse to answer any question. however since asking them immediately raises a red flag, most inerviewers wont ask them.

unlike race, gender, age etc, physical beauty (or perceived lack of it) is not a protected entity...an employer can legally hire a beautiful person over a homely one (from their point of view of course).

see that is where you are wrong. amaurosisfugax you cannot ask those questions. those types of questions are not covered under the free speech act. people do not understand what exactly this act means. it means in a nutshell; that one can preech what he wants, report on what he wants, and tell you what he wishes to tell you. asking questions such as age, weight and so on is again agaisnt eoe rules and regulations. i worked in management in retail before i came to the medical field and my company tested me on these items so we didnt get sued. so please, check your information before posting please.

[AmaurosisFugax]

Acutally the EEOC rules deal with actual discrimination, merely asking the question may not be illegal according to some authoritative sources (eg, http://hotjobs.yahoo.com/career-articles-common_interview_surprise_inappropriate_questions-1018)

"Merely asking the questions isn't necessarily against the law, according to the U.S. Equal Opportunity Employment Commission (EEOC)."

[TampaTech]

This whole thing could be a touchy subject with so much grey area all answers might be correct. I guess it all depends on who you are asking them too and whatnot :)

[nursel56]

=ocankhe;4029391]Remember the interview process is a two way street. To often we (the applicant) perceive we are the only one being interviewed but you should also bear in mind you are interviewing everyone in the organization you speak with. You have to find out if this organization is also a fit for you.

Right! Are you old? Do you have a receding hairline? Do you own a Bow-Flex? Do you use it? Bad breath? B.O.? Hair on your back? Funky toe-nails? Sheesh. This guy sounds like what President Obama called Kanye West. :chuckle

Of course they are going to hire only those that are of a "type" It's maybe one of those concierge surgery centers. Normally they will interview people anyway and just not hire them. No thanks!!

[Perpetual Student]

I have a feeling that fellow wouldn't have bothered calling me (there aren't too many attractive women who share my name!), but I would've definitely given that dude a hard time. Most of my likely comments are probably a bit too umm . . . risque for this forum.

Those questions are totally inappropriate, though I suppose it's nice that he asked them on the phone rather than just turning you down after secretly sizing you up at an interview. At least you didn't have to get dressed up and drive to this clown's place.