interviewer asked about religion - what would you say?

llg, PhD, RN · Jan 20, 2014

I think you handled the inappropriate question well.

LPN Guy · Jan 21, 2014

Sometimes I wonder if intetviewers deliberately do this sort of thing just to see how you would handle it. Sort of a test. OP did fine I think. Let the interviewer know that the question was out of bounds, but did it in a tactful, diplomatic way. Didn't get flustered or upset, but remained cool and calm. Maybe that's what they're looking for.

HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD · Jan 21, 2014

Your response was absolutely perfect. It is completely illegal to ask job applicants about religious beliefs unless that is a bona fide occupational qualification... e.g., you are applying for a position as a minister. That organization obviously does not provide adequate training to hiring managers. I hope that is not indicative of management skills/knowledge overall.

monkeybug · Jan 21, 2014

I think you handled it well, but that doesn't mean she got the answer she wanted, and it could affect your job prospects. Illegal or not (and it most definitely was), if you don't get the job, how in the world could you prove it was due to religion? She can always say she didn't think you'd be a good fit, someone else was more qualified, etc. In some areas of the country, and in some facilities, your religion can definitely give you a huge leg up. If it's an LDS (or Seventh Day Adventist, or Catholic or whatever) facility, some nurse managers are honestly going to prefer the idea of a nice Mormon (or SDA or Catholic or whatever) over an equally qualified Wiccan or whatever. And in this job market they can be choosy.

RN59217 · Jan 21, 2014

I think that was a perfect answer. I don't know if you could report the person to someone higher up since it is really illegal for them to ask you that question?

RN59217 · Jan 21, 2014

Was it on a unit where the religious preference would even be an issue? Like a L&D/OB unit where you may have to deal with abortion clients?

ceccia · Jan 21, 2014

RN5, nope! it's a sub-acute rehab facility, and it's not affiliated with any religious institution. and we're in DC. i might expect that kind of question in Utah or something, but here it's pretty random.

i didn't think of the possibility that she might have been doing it as a "test" to see if i would get ruffled. my first thought was that she had difficulty with employees not wanting to work Sundays because of church.

oh well. nothing i can do about it now. it is reassuring to get feedback from other people that i handled the question well though. :)

syns1988 · May 23, 2016

Hi Everyone! Sorry to bring up an old post . However, I was asked about my religion in an interview for nursing school, and it made me uncomfortable only in retrospect. Does anyone have any information regarding whether or not it is illegal to ask about religion in an interview for a nursing program? It was for an accelerated BSN program, and it was a religious college. I was asked if I could attend class during certain holidays. I strongly believe they may not accept me because of my religion. If I do not get in, can I sue? Thank you in advance for your time!

HeySis, BSN, RN · May 31, 2016

I found this on this on the internet so take it for what it's worth, but it fits in with what I have heard to be true.

"absent federal funding, private schools don't have to admit students who follow a different religion or have a physical or mental disability. As a practical matter, though, it's not uncommon for private schools to accept these students. They may charge extra tuition for students of a different religion." - Can Private Schools Discriminate against Students? - Lawyers.com

My daughter went to a private catholic school for Kindergarten and we were asked our religion. This one did admit other religions, but they paid more.

AvidAdvocate · Oct 21, 2016

Wow! I would only expect that to happen in Utah, but I suppose it can happen anywhere. I'm worried about these questions coming up in interviews too. Did you end up getting that job?

Sincerely,

Never-mormon who spent half of her childhood in the Salt Lake Valley.

Kooky Korky, BSN, RN · Oct 21, 2016

I have worked in a couple of Catholic facilities, have never been asked my religion. I have been asked if I had children and who took care of them, whether I had reliable transportation, whether I had elderly or sickly family for whom I was responsible, & what my hobbies were (anything dangerous?). I think all of these are illegal, but I think employers need to know if I can get to work and if I scuba dive or sky dive.

Have worked with Jewish folks, 2 of whom were Orthodox, so needed to not work Friday evenings through Saturday one hour after sundown, and needed certain holy days off throughout the year. They made up for it by working Sundays, Christmas, Easter.

Worked with a Muslim woman who had to have prayer time at a set time every evening. It was difficult because it conflicted with a very busy time of day every day. Other staff were unhappy with her not being able to work for about 1/2 hour every shift at this particular time. It was not counted as break or meal time for her, it was just like smokers taking extra breaks to go smoke. This was not, to my knowledge, something that had been agreed upon before she was hired and I don't know that she did anything extra to help her co-workers, although she was a pleasant person and a good worker. Staff, doctors, visitors, and patients all seemed to like her. She came to the wedding of one of my children.

What was the interviewer's response to your response?

Hey, good luck.