Karen Debus, a certified human resources professional, shares some tips on questions to avoid during an interview.
Questions interviewers shouldn’t ask:
• Where were you born?
• How old are you?
• What physical limitations do you have?
• Are you married?
• How many children do you have?
If you are just trying to make conversation, stick to non-personal topics. If you are trying to find out if an applicant’s weekends are free, just ask them if they can commit to your schedule requirements – and be specific. It’s better to eliminate anyone who can’t meet your needs up front than to experience turnover two months into the season. You may ask if someone can meet the physical demands of the job or if they need any accommodations.
As a general rule, avoid questions regarding race, color, religion, sex, age, marital status, national origin, disability, sexual orientation and physical handicap. Remember, it is not against the law to ask the question; it is against the law to utilize the information to discriminate against someone. The best way to avoid discrimination is NOT to ask the question in the first place.
Check out Karen's hiring practices story in the February 2011 issue of Nursery Management.