Summary of Legal and Illegal Interview Questions

Published by the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing
This helpful chart indicates questions that are unlawful to ask at an employment interview. Many states have similar rules. Please call us if you have any questions or need additional information.

Acceptable Questions	Subject	Unacceptable Questions
Name “Have you ever used another name?” /or/ “Is any additional information relative to change of name, use of an assumed name, or nickname necessary to enable a check on your work and education record? If yes, please explain.”	NAME	Maiden name.
Place of residence.	RESIDENCE	“Do you own or rent your home?”
Statement that hire is subject to verification that applicant meets legal age requirements. “If hired, can you show proof of age?” “Are you over eighteen years of age?” If under eighteen, can you, after employment, submit a work permit?”	AGE	Age. Birth date. Dates of attendance or completion of elementary or high school. Questions which tend to identify applicants over age 40.
“Can you, after employment, submit verification of your legal right to work in the United States?” /or/ Statement that such proof may be required after a decision is made to hire the candidate.	BIRTHPLACE, CITIZENSHIP	Birthplace of applicant, applicant’s parents, spouse, or other relatives. “Are you a U.S. citizen?” /or/ Citizenship of applicant, applicant’s parents, spouse, or other relatives. Requirements that applicant produce naturalization, first papers, or alien card prior to a decision to hire.
Languages applicant reads, speaks, or writes, if use of a language other than English is relevant to the job for which applicant is applying.	NATIONAL ORIGIN	Questions as to nationality, lineage, ancestry, national origin, descent, or parentage of applicant, applicant’s parents, or spouse. “What is your mother tongue?” /or/ Language commonly used by applicant. How applicant acquired ability to read, write, or speak a foreign language.
Name and address of parent or guardian if applicant is a minor. Statement of company policy regarding work assignment of employees who are related.	SEX, MARITAL STATUS, FAMILY	Questions which indicate applicant’s sex. Questions which indicate applicant’s marital status. Number and/or ages of children or dependents. Provisions for child care. Questions regarding pregnancy, child bearing, or birth control. Name and address of relative, spouse, or children of adult applicant. “With whom do you reside?” /or/ “Do you live with your parents?”
	RACE, COLOR	Questions as to applicant’s race or color. Questions regarding applicant’s complexion or color of skin, eyes, hair.
	CREDIT REPORT	Any report which would indicate information which is otherwise illegal to ask, e.g., marital status, age, residency, etc.
Statement that photograph may be required after employment.	PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION, PHOTOGRAPH	Questions as to applicant’s height and weight. Require applicant to affix a photograph to application. Request applicant, at his or her option, to submit a photograph. Require a photograph after interview but before employment. Videotaping interviews.
Statement by employer that offer may be made contingent on applicant passing on job-related physical examination. “Can you perform (specific task)?”	PHYSICAL OR MENTAL DISABILITY	Questions regarding applicant’s general medical condition, state of health, or illnesses. Questions regarding receipt of Workers’ Compensation. “Do you have any physical disabilities or handicaps?”
Statement by employer of regular days, hours, or shifts to be worked.	RELIGION	Questions regarding applicant’s religion. Religious days observed /or/ “Does you religion prevent you from working weekends or holidays?”
Job-related questions about convictions, except those convictions which have been sealed, expunged, or statutorily eradicated.	ARREST, CRIMINAL RECORD	Arrest record /or/ “Have you ever been arrested?” (This is a violation of California Labor Code Section 432.7, which is enforced by the Labor Commissioner.)
Questions regarding relevant skills acquired during applicant’s U.S. military service.	MILITARY SERVICE	General questions regarding military services such as dates and types of discharge. Questions regarding service in a foreign military.
“Please list job-related organizations, clubs, professional societies, or other associations to which you belong – you may omit those which indicate your race, religious creed, color, disability, marital status, national origin, ancestry, sex, or age.”	ORGANIZATIONS, ACTIVITIES	“List all organizations, clubs, societies, and lodges to which you belong.”
“By whom were you referred for a position here?” Names of persons willing to provide professional and/or character references for applicant.	REFERENCES	Questions of applicant’s former employers or acquaintances which elicit information specifying the applicant’s race, color, religious creed, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, marital status, age, or sex.
Name and address of person to be notified in case of accident or emergency.	NOTICE IN CASE OF EMERGENCY	Name, address and relationship of relative to be notified in case of accident or emergency.

NOTE: Any inquiry, even though neutral on its face, which has an adverse impact upon persons on a basis enumerated in the Fair Employment and Housing Act (race, sex, national origin, etc.), is permissible only if it is sufficiently related to an essential job function to warrant its use.

The information contained in this chart is intended to provide useful information but it should not be construed as legal advice. For specific legal requirements, please consult your attorney.

Marcianne Kuethen

Marci loves writing and editing Amtec's blog posts. She also likes walking her dogs, gardening in her backyard, and painting ninja warriors on large canvases in her spare time.