if employers cant ask about children during an interview

[smartnurse1982]

why do they still do it? whan they say"tell me a little about yourself" i usually tell them about the school, my experience, etc but i never mention anything about my family at all. what shall i say if they ask me about family?

i konw legally they cant but lately because of the economy i see a lot of employers skimming the rules to their advantage.

[Otessa, BSN, RN]

I would not tell them. The only reason to ask is to see if you will be having reason to call off. If you say you have kids, unless they are all grown and out of the house you've just gave them a something to compare you with someone who doesn't have kids. Sorry, but people in charge of hiring know what should be asked and what shouldn't be asked. So, if they do ask it's because they plan to judge.

Exactly-unless they are brand new to hiring people, they should know better.....

otessa

[dcampbell]

What if you have a "gap" in your resume due to taking time out to stay home and raise your children?

Any employer will understandably ask about such a gap in employment.

How should you respond?

[HospiceCarer]

When someone, ANYONE, asks you a question that you don't want to answer, simply say "Why do you ask?" with a puzzled expression on your face! (Courtesy of Judith Martin, Miss Manners)

I love this answer. I've used this answer to respond to noisy people asking about when I am going to have children, why I don't have children, and similar things that they really aren't close enough to me to have any business asking.

My boss, the administrator for a small LTC facility, asked a potential employee who came to the facility for a quick tour what her husband did for a living and how long she had been attending her church (she was referred by a lady who she went to church with). I was mortified. Not only is it irrelevant and illegal, it has absolutely nothing to do with her ability to perform the job that she is applying for. The applicant had already discussed what schedule she could work, and I am sure that she had considered all of her family obligations when she told the administrator about her availability.

[Medic2RN, BSN, RN, EMT-P]

I was under the impression it was illegal to ask that question.

Due to the reason that it could be a basis of discrimination.

You really wouldn't know what they are looking for: if you have kids, then they might think you will be taking time off for the kids. If you don't have kids, then you might be taking off to HAVE kids.

Simple: they are not suppose to ask you. Have they asked any male applicants the same question?

[JenniferSews]

Simple: they are not suppose to ask you. Have they asked any male applicants the same question?

Very true, but the fact of the matter is they ask. I wasn't comfortable lying, that would mean I would have to continue to lie to my new coworkers the entire time I was employed there. Telling them flat out they aren't allowed to ask would have ended the same way- no job. But having a way to sidestep the question if you really need the job would be helpful.

[P_RN, ADN, RN]

It is an illegal question. Miss Manners' "Why do you ask?" seems the most appropriate. Or I'm afraid the government doesn't allow me to answer that or substitute "my lawyer" for government.

[diane227, LPN, RN]

When I interviewed a new employee I never asked about their family or anything regarding their personal life. However, I did ask them to tell me about themselves. I would also ask them if they had any special scheduling needs and if they had any problem that would prevent them from getting to work on time. Because I really have no concern about what goes on in their home, I just need to assure that they can get to work on time and on the schedule they are hired for.

[HeartsOpenWide, RN]

I was under the impression it was illegal to ask that question.

Due to the reason that it could be a basis of discrimination.

You really wouldn't know what they are looking for: if you have kids, then they might think you will be taking time off for the kids. If you don't have kids, then you might be taking off to HAVE kids.

Simple: they are not suppose to ask you. Have they asked any male applicants the same question?

Your question reminds me of a section that was on my health insurance application form. There was one section that said "(for men only) Are you expecting a child with a woman" WHAT does this have to do with a man's health insurance? It Did not even say If yes go to question 13B "do you plan to have your expected child be on your health insurance plan". Really, I do not see how this is the insurance business if a MAN got a woman pregnant and she is expecting and not on the application too (which even then would be a separate application process for herself anyways)

[The Bell Jar]

What if you have a "gap" in your resume due to taking time out to stay home and raise your children?

Any employer will understandably ask about such a gap in employment.

How should you respond?

I too would like advise on how to answer this.I did this-and feel that it is hurting me job application wise.Theres always that part on the bottom of the app where it says "explain any gaps in employment." I have been explaining having and raising my daughter and this gap was less than one year-but right there before they will even call you,it lets them know you have children.

I really can't figure out a way to explain the gap without mentioning children

[kcochrane]

http://jobsearchtech.about.com/od/interview/l/aa022403_3.htm

Here is some good info on how to answer those illegal questions.

Personal life, you might respond with, "I prefer to keep personal and business matters separate."

Children, your reply might be, "Are you concerned that I won't be able to travel or work overtime?"

Disability, you might say something like, "If you're concerned that I won't be able to perform the duties of the job, I'm sure I can."

Country of origin, you could say, "If you're going to ask next whether or not I'm authorized to work in the USA, I am."

I do answer the question if asked, but I do also add how I deal with issues with sickness, etc. Mine are getting older, so its not that big of a deal. I agree with others that lying isn't the best idea.

[I love my cat!]

I have a friend that conducts interviews for a large company (not a Hospital, but same routine). She said it is amazing how much information is volunteered by the person being interviewed. She said that people LOOOVE to talk about themselves and their lifestyle, accomplishments and hardships.

Interviewers also have tactics for getting people to open up about things that cannot be legally asked during the interview. Like setting a picture of their kids out on the desk, mentioning that they care for an elderly parent, mentioning how well someone at work is doing with a disabilty, etc...it is just small talk, but people being interviewed want so badly to please, that they will then go into their own background and share things that cannot be asked.

Personally, I have a problem with the definition: family=kids.

Many, many people do not have kids/do not want kids, so their family includes parents, siblings, friends, other relatives, etc...

In this day and age, I am still surprised that so many people will not consider anything other than having kids as a family.

[Lovelee82]

What if you have a "gap" in your resume due to taking time out to stay home and raise your children?

Any employer will understandably ask about such a gap in employment.

How should you respond?

You could always say that you had family obligations during this time. A family doesnt neccasary mean children. Some people interpret "took care of family/members" as parents and/or older relatives. You wouldnt be lying. I would end that answer right there because they can not legally ask you about your family.