Employee Manual 2023 - Flipbook - Page 89
Religion
Applicants are protected from discrimination based on religious denomination, beliefs, customs, or
religious holidays observed. Questions that could elicit religious information should be avoided
unless they have a clear correlation to need, such as working on Saturdays or Sundays, or peak
periods. If asked, the question should be limited to stating the requirements of the position, and
should be asked of all applicants.
Sick Leave/Medical Conditions
Questions that elicit information about how many days an applicant was sick or other questions
pertaining to sick leave or medical conditions should be avoided.
Workers' Compensation
Questions that elicit information about an applicant's workers' disability compensation history
should be avoided.
Sources:
U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission sites. www.eeoc.gov
U.S. Office of Personnel Management sites. www.opm.gov
Acceptable and Unacceptable Questions
Following is a representative list of unacceptable and acceptable questions. It is NOT all-inclusive
but is meant as a guide to assist you in the interview process. If an inquiry could be discriminatory,
it is best to avoid it. If you are unsure about a question; do not ask!
Subject
Name
Age
Acceptable
Current legal name.
Have you ever worked under a different name?
Is any additional information, relative to a
change of name necessary to enable a check of
your educational or work records?
Are you over the age of eighteen?
National
Origin/Citizenship
All offers of employment are
contingent upon verification of identity and
work authorization in the United States.
Are you legally authorized to work in the
United States?
Race, Color
None
Gender/Gender
None
Unacceptable
Maiden Name.
Questions about national origin, ancestry,
or prior marital status.
Age. Birth Date. Questions that might
identify the applicant's age, especially,
over age 40.
Questions as to nationality lineage,
ancestry, national origin, descent,
parentage of applicant or applicant's
spouse. What is your mother tongue?
Asking how an applicant acquired ability to
read, write, or speak a foreign language.
Are you a US citizen?
Questions that indicate applicant's race or
color, complexion or color of skin, eyes or
hair. Direct or indirect reference to race,
color, or racial groups.
Questions about an applicant's
City of Plymouth Employee manual - Page 89 – March 2023
