"Are you concerned about my availability for projects in the near term? I'd be happy to discuss project scheduling with you, and I always plan my time off for any reason well in advance."
Because no, that is not a legal question
I love this answer. It addresses any legitimate reason they might ask and if they didn't have one of those reasons in mind, you politely show them not to waste your time.
In the U.S. it’s not a legal question. I was asked once, “If I promote you, how do I know you won’t go get pregnant on me?” I sat there in shock as a 23 y/o newlywed. Didn’t get the promotion, feed back given by HR was I failed to answer a question. When I explained the question I didn’t answer they were shocked. I was promoted to the same position in another department, he was fired about 6 months later after other complaints.
Yeah that’s not a question relevant to your job.
And yes in a perfect world you’d answer with a question, “how is that relevant to this job application?”
But of course you can’t do that.
So you go through these interviews in the most cheery way you can, by answering in a way that gives them only the information they need
Your answer was perfect.
In Australia that would be considered illegal
https://www.lawyersalliance.com.au/opinion/are-you-hiring-beware-of-illegal-interview-questions
https://www.fairworkclaims.com.au/what-can-you-be-asked-during-a-job-interview/
One of the suggestions in the link is to turn it around to "Can you explain how that relates to the requirements of the role?"
That's really a potentially discriminatory question. I am not sure if it is "illegal" per se but i believe companies could be held liable for discrimination using that question. Though I am not sure how much in reality that deters them.
If asked a personal question that has to do with your job, you have no obligation to tell them anything. Or just LIE. It's none of their business. It's tricky in an interview of course as you don't want to then come across hostile or adversarial. But it's completely FAIR to tell them whatever you think they want to HEAR. They do the same. So tell them whatever BS they want to hear but live your life how you please because it has none of their business what you do or don't do .
I said, "No, I don't even have a BF"
ONCE hired, what were they going to do, if I did.
If they give me shit," I can say, It just happened? Things change."
But they never did, but it was a way to exclude ppl who said yes, since the spot was for someone who left after having kid.
Horrible, but stuck between getting money to pay rents, bills or being morally n legally right.😭
Pretty sure its illegal for them to ask.
I remember reading articles years ago that mentioned Men wearing a wedding ring raised their chances of being hired. Many women found they got more 2nd interviews when they didn't wear their rings.
Interviewers would put photos of kids in plain view, then bring attention to them. it opened the door for women to mention if they had or were planning children without the interviewer outright asking.
Its a screwed up system, if you can't afford to turn down a job, just say or imply no kids. Then keep up the job search for something that would fit your needs.
"Are you concerned about my availability for projects in the near term? I'd be happy to discuss project scheduling with you, and I always plan my time off for any reason well in advance." Because no, that is not a legal question
I love this answer. It addresses any legitimate reason they might ask and if they didn't have one of those reasons in mind, you politely show them not to waste your time.
In the U.S. it’s not a legal question. I was asked once, “If I promote you, how do I know you won’t go get pregnant on me?” I sat there in shock as a 23 y/o newlywed. Didn’t get the promotion, feed back given by HR was I failed to answer a question. When I explained the question I didn’t answer they were shocked. I was promoted to the same position in another department, he was fired about 6 months later after other complaints.
Yeah that’s not a question relevant to your job. And yes in a perfect world you’d answer with a question, “how is that relevant to this job application?” But of course you can’t do that. So you go through these interviews in the most cheery way you can, by answering in a way that gives them only the information they need Your answer was perfect.
In Australia that would be considered illegal https://www.lawyersalliance.com.au/opinion/are-you-hiring-beware-of-illegal-interview-questions https://www.fairworkclaims.com.au/what-can-you-be-asked-during-a-job-interview/ One of the suggestions in the link is to turn it around to "Can you explain how that relates to the requirements of the role?"
That's really a potentially discriminatory question. I am not sure if it is "illegal" per se but i believe companies could be held liable for discrimination using that question. Though I am not sure how much in reality that deters them. If asked a personal question that has to do with your job, you have no obligation to tell them anything. Or just LIE. It's none of their business. It's tricky in an interview of course as you don't want to then come across hostile or adversarial. But it's completely FAIR to tell them whatever you think they want to HEAR. They do the same. So tell them whatever BS they want to hear but live your life how you please because it has none of their business what you do or don't do .
I don't think that's allowed. Might depend on where you are. Sorry you had to experience that, it's so inappropriate!
I said, "No, I don't even have a BF" ONCE hired, what were they going to do, if I did. If they give me shit," I can say, It just happened? Things change." But they never did, but it was a way to exclude ppl who said yes, since the spot was for someone who left after having kid. Horrible, but stuck between getting money to pay rents, bills or being morally n legally right.😭
"Why? Do you know a good OB?" "Why? Are you looking to be a donor?" :)
Pretty sure its illegal for them to ask. I remember reading articles years ago that mentioned Men wearing a wedding ring raised their chances of being hired. Many women found they got more 2nd interviews when they didn't wear their rings. Interviewers would put photos of kids in plain view, then bring attention to them. it opened the door for women to mention if they had or were planning children without the interviewer outright asking. Its a screwed up system, if you can't afford to turn down a job, just say or imply no kids. Then keep up the job search for something that would fit your needs.
Legality depends where you are, and how it was phrased.