Interview questions : Inappropriate or illegal ?

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Specializes in Wound care, Surgery,Infection control.

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 ?

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Specializes in ED staff.

Yes, illegal.

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Specializes in Trauma & Emergency.

Completely illegal. It is against the federal EEO (equal employment opportunity) Act. It states "Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VII), which prohibits employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin;"

As long as you are able to perform your job with reasonable accomodations you are qualified and cannot be denied employment on the basis of appearance. Although I think it is really shady that they actually asked you to mail a picture with your resume, usually places like this will find other reasons not to hire you.

Good luck--leave this place in the dust.

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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 ?

The only question among those listed that is explicitly illegal is regarding your age. Personally, I'd be glad the interviewer tipped you off to this particular physician's low standards before you went to work for him or her.

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Reputable site or not... sounds like scam. How often to surgeons do the hiring? Also if you're going to discriminate in this way, doesn't it make more sense to do an in-person interview? That way they don't have to be so obvious about it.

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Specializes in LTC, Med-SURG,STICU.

Employers so this all the time, but most are not so obvious about it. Employers discriminate against the over weight and not so attactive all the time. Usually they save that for the face to face interview, so that they do not have to ask potentially illegal questions.

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Specializes in Critical Care,Recovery, ED.

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.

I have seen plastic surgeons, especially those specializing in cosmetics, get this fussy about appearance, looks and age. Usually it is done with a little more subtlety then the OP described.

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Specializes in ER, ICU, Education.

Not only does it show a lack of professional standards, it shows a lack of good common sense and ethics to ask these questions. Run, don't walk, away.

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Specializes in Vents, Telemetry, Home Care, Home infusion.

from: wondering why you can't get hired or promoted: resume + interview hints!

questions about the following are illegal to ask at a job interview here in the u.s.:

  • your personal life (married, divorced, children)
  • family planning
  • pregnancy
  • provision for child care
  • religious preference
  • club memberships
  • height
  • weight
  • dependents
  • age (birth date)
  • ethnic background
  • maiden name
  • native language
  • physical problems
  • psychiatric problems
  • spouse's employment and/or earnings
  • credit rating
  • home ownership
  • automobile ownership

illegal job questions

call your local eeoc office to discuss your concerns: http://www.eeoc.gov/field/index.cfm

see: filing a charge

individuals who are interested in filing charges of discrimination are initially screened by an eeoc representative to determine whether your employment experiences are covered by the laws eeoc enforces. you may also use our online assessment and complete a questionnaire to be sent or taken to our office

appears you have a strong case re discriminatory hiring practice.

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seems like a scam to me. am surprised you werent asked for you ssn and bank account no. as LivetoLearn said, run away as fast as you can.

also be wary of this scam: http://augusta.craigslist.org/cgi-bin/jobs.cgi?&category=hea/

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Specializes in Wound care, Surgery,Infection control.

To all who posted - I appreciate the input and views . My 12 hour shifts allow me to pursue extra days and so I called about the opening. There were many red flags during the phone interview starting with the physician speaking directly to me. The age and appearance questions stopped me in my tracks and I wanted to share so others will beware .

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Specializes in Gerontology, nursing education.
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 ?

If the surgeon was doing cosmetic procedures, I can understand why he might consider physical attractiveness to be a job requirement. It's sexist, ageist, lookist and wrong on so many levels but if he's doing plastic surgery for the rich and famous, he might value physical perfection in his staff over competency.

If you would have gone to work there, you might have ended up on one of those plastic surgery shows on TV. :eek: Or the doc might have insisted on giving you breast implants, a nose job, lipo, Botox, whatever as "perks" of the job.

You were smart to run!

BTW, there are many legitimate cosmetic surgeons who don't place such a great emphasis on appearance. Those I've known often do work on their staff for a discounted rate, not because they're pressuring them to change their appearance but because the staff becomes comfortable with the surgeon's work and wants to have certain procedures done. The best cosmetic surgeons I know also do plenty of charity work, often going to other countries to repair children's cleft lips and palates. But I digress...

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