Could this be a sneaky way of discrimination on job application?

oramar · Apr 28, 2009

I always thought they were not allowed to ask your age in interview. But when you go for your pre-employment physical they could ask you.

nebrgirl · Apr 28, 2009

You know you make a darn good point...and don't kid yourself age discrimination does occur...of course even though they can't ask your age, once you get to the interview it's pretty much a mute point...even if you look 42 and your really 52 it's obvious that you are not a "spring chicken".

GN Dave · Apr 28, 2009

Well, on a job app or resume, they have the date that you graduated high school... doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out your approx age from there, anyway...

Jules A, MSN · Apr 28, 2009

I'm thinking its probably more about wanting to run a credit check. I know age discrimination happens but figured they can take one look at me and know I'm not 25. :)

ohmeowzer RN, RN · Apr 28, 2009

i agree with jules it's for the credit check . i've had a credit check for every job i have applied for and they always asked those questions.

johnst10 · Apr 28, 2009

I'm thinking its probably more about wanting to run a credit check. I know age discrimination happens but figured they can take one look at me and know I'm not 25. :)

A CREDIT CHECK??!! they can do that? For a job app? I haven't ever heard of that before. Maybe it's been done and I didn't know it. Why would they need to know my credit score? And not being 25... My resume gives that away fast! I would hope that a solid resume would help you get a job, not exclude you. Maybe I'm too naive.

sunray12 · Apr 28, 2009

You know you make a darn good point...and don't kid yourself age discrimination does occur...of course even though they can't ask your age, once you get to the interview it's pretty much a mute point...even if you look 42 and your really 52 it's obvious that you are not a "spring chicken".

It may be discriminatory to ask people's age but some people are rule breakers. I have been asked outright and other times I've had interviewers ask creative questions to try and get it out of me. Most applicants aren't going to report this and if they did there isn't really any penalty for it.

ohmeowzer RN, RN · Apr 28, 2009

A CREDIT CHECK??!! they can do that? For a job app? I haven't ever heard of that before. Maybe it's been done and I didn't know it. Why would they need to know my credit score? And not being 25... My resume gives that away fast! I would hope that a solid resume would help you get a job, not exclude you. Maybe I'm too naive.

yup they do credit checks when you apply for a job. they need your credit score to see how reliable you are paying your bills... and they think if you pay your bills on time you are reliable and they will hire you. the hospital i work for does hire according to your credit score. believe me you get checked out from stem to stern when working esp in a hospital .. FBI checks , credit scores , urine tox screens ectra... they know everything about you. they even got a copy of my medical records. i have nothing to hide so i don't care.. but big brother is watching ...

OB6658 · Apr 28, 2009

Well, on a job app or resume, they have the date that you graduated high school... doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out your approx age from there, anyway...

I understand what your saying, however, none of the job apps I've filled have the date for high school graduation. Only how many years of high school you've had and if you graduated. On the resume, if you an experienced nurse, you are not listing your high school. (usually if your a new grad, you list high school on resume) On the resume you list your college, degree, and the year you graduated. And being that people of all ages go into nursing...yes, even some in their 30's or 40's. Having a graduation date of say, 2008, does not necessarily mean to indicate that you are only 22 years old.

I always thought they were not allowed to ask your age in interview. But when you go for your pre-employment physical they could ask you.

This is true. Not in an interview. However, I'm talking about just the application process...you need to get by that before the interview process.

I'm thinking its probably more about wanting to run a credit check. I know age discrimination happens but figured they can take one look at me and know I'm not 25. :)

Your right about this also. The paper you fill out with the application does state it is for a "investigative consumer report". However, being that your birthdate IS on that paper. What's to stop the employer you applied at to look at your birthdate and toss it aside when they see you are 50, regardless of your qualifications. And it's true that they can take a look at you and know your not 25, but again, that is in the interview process...they don't see your face when reading the application only...which is the process before the interview.

Thanks for all your input...all valid points. And I realize them all...as I said...just venting...and I still think it is sneaky on the employer's part. As mentioned, I have signed a paper for a consumer report to be done on you with almost every application...but always just a paper asking for signature only....not your birthdate.

RN Zeke · Apr 28, 2009

I suppose they can ask anything they want to. It is up to us to draw the line for those to follow. Bad credit? We really need a job to pay those bills and are wiling to work overtime. Old Farts, we can and do hang with the best of the best too, cause we are the wild west!!! No kids or other responsobilities at home to face. So just ask us to work overtime and we will if the pool isn't just right or the crows are flying !!! We will work and rock too!! The rocking chair looks good tonight, the kids and grands are good tonight. Rock on. :bugeyes: :yeah:

OB6658 · Apr 28, 2009

ohmeowzerRN...you right about alot of places doing "credit checks". However, this is not just a credit check, but about how your work ethics were at the previous employer. It's a consumer report..let me tell you what it says.

"I__________, authorize Unisource Screening, (ICRA-investigative consumer reporting agency), its agents or assigns, to obtain from any lawful source, (public or private) information on me which may include my character, general reputation, work ethics, personal characteristics, and mode of living. This information may be obtained from, but is not limited to government or private agencies, information concerning me, civil and criminal records and date including related education, credit, and employment, by and through any legal representatives for a period of 6 months from this date. I understand this data will not be used for credit or any unlawful purpose and that I can instruct the Agency to decline to provide my prospective employer with my age, race, religion, or other material prospectibe employers are not entitles to and further understand that report to prospective employer will not be provided to third persons and will only be used by the prospective employer to determine my employment and no other purpose."

I think the line about you instructing the agency to decline providing the employer with age, race, etc...is a joke considering the paper further goes on to ask you to provide the following information to them: Name, Address, SS#, DOB, Driver's License #. and telephone#

Besides, I didn't think any employer could ask a previous employer about your work ethics...appears signing one of these papers is you giving them permission to do so. Of course, they got you over the barrel...one of those things that if you don't sign the paper....well..dammed if you do, and dammed if you don't!

Don't get me wrong, I have nothing to hide..I just think all you have to go through nowadays when applying for a job is a crock:grn: . Whatever happened to good references, experiecnce, qualifications and a good interview??