Interviewing

Make sure application & interview questions don’t pry into health history

02/11/2013

Do your hiring managers know the law when it comes to asking medical or health-related questions during job interviews? Are your job applications toeing the legal line and complying with the ADA?

When interviewing, when is it OK to ask applicant about her sexual history?

01/29/2013

We all know that hiring managers are supposed to avoid personal or intrusive questions when interviewing job applicants. However, under some limited circumstances, getting answers to such questions may be relevant and necessary to the hiring process. Make sure hiring managers know the line before they step into any interview.

10 interview questions, online tests to help identify problem-solving managers

01/16/2013

Don’t assume that management applicants with top references and experience have great analytical skills. Instead, find out for yourself by asking some of these questions.

Conducting background checks on job candidates? Know how to comply with the FCRA

12/12/2012

If your organization conducts background checks on applicants or employees through a third-party company, you must comply with the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), which is enforced by the Federal Trade Commission. Here are the steps to comply with the FCRA, according to the U.S. Bureau of Consumer Protection:

A step-by-step guide to legally safe hiring practices

11/27/2012

Hiring is one of the most difficult and legally dangerous tasks for supervisors. Just a few ill-timed words in a want ad or interview can trigger a legal complaint. Here are the key liability hot spots to watch out for in the hiring process:

Worried candidate is too volatile to promote? Reason enough to give the job to someone else

11/11/2012

Some employees who are quick to anger may not have the interpersonal skills needed for a promotion, even if they are technically qualified to do the job. If you choose not to promote a hothead, few courts will second-guess your decision …

Must we employ someone with allergies?

10/18/2012

Q. We recently hired someone we didn’t know has a severe allergy to peanuts. If she even smells peanut butter, she has a severe allergic reaction, requiring her to use an EpiPen and head to the emergency room. Could we have refused to hire her if we had known about her allergies?

Hiring: Sometimes, personal questions are OK

09/21/2012

Interviewee raises sensitive issue: Is it still bias?

08/13/2012

Q. I understand there are lots of questions we can’t ask during interviews. But what if the applicant brings up the subject? For example, if she mentions that she just had a baby, can I ask if she’s made child care arrangements? If a person is coming from out of town, I may ask why. If they say “boyfriend/girlfriend,” can I ask if it’s a permanent move?

May we ever ask about applicant’s religion?

07/27/2012

Q. When, if ever, can our company legally ask an applicant about his or her religious affiliation?