what if interviewer asks about your race? Forum

[Anonymous User]

could u report them to some body?

[Anonymous User]

actually, they ask and/or fish for all kinds of information that they are not supposed to know.

e.g. fishing for information about your marital status by aksing about family and stuff.

[Anonymous User]

actually, they ask and/or fish for all kinds of information that they are not supposed to know.

e.g. fishing for information about your marital status by aksing about family and stuff.

Pretty rare. However, asking straight-out about marital status is not illegal, just awkward and unpleasant. Asking straight-out about race is illegal (although it's usually facially obvious anyway).

If you're talking about at OCI, Career Services will sort them out. Probably by getting the interviewer fired.

[8ballistic]

actually, they ask and/or fish for all kinds of information that they are not supposed to know.

e.g. fishing for information about your marital status by aksing about family and stuff.

They can even figure out race from written material.

I thought discrimination on the basis of marital status was illegal, and therefore questions on the topic couldn't be broached by the interviewer.

[Unitas]

actually, they ask and/or fish for all kinds of information that they are not supposed to know.

e.g. fishing for information about your marital status by aksing about family and stuff.

They can even figure out race from written material.

I thought discrimination on the basis of marital status was illegal, and therefore questions on the topic couldn't be broached by the interviewer.

It is illegal to ask about marital status before hiring. But you can ask stuff like do you have any other obligations that could could hinder your ability to perform your job... Stuff like that is ok. Then if childcare becomes a problem can terminate for saying yes to this then having problems.

[barry]

don't alot of law firms hand out self-identify forms? isn't that the same as asking about race?

[Unitas]

don't alot of law firms hand out self-identify forms? isn't that the same as asking about race?

Those aren't part of hiring decisions and are used by recruiters to prove the firm doesn't discriminate but just doesn't get qualified applicants of various races.

[Anonymous User]

don't alot of law firms hand out self-identify forms? isn't that the same as asking about race?

Those aren't part of hiring decisions and are used by recruiters to prove the firm doesn't discriminate but just doesn't get qualified applicants of various races.

out the firm and report it.

[Unitas]

don't alot of law firms hand out self-identify forms? isn't that the same as asking about race?

Those aren't part of hiring decisions and are used by recruiters to prove the firm doesn't discriminate but just doesn't get qualified applicants of various races.

out the firm and report it.

Lots of firms do the forms that self report. You mail them to someone else at the firm and they keep stats on who applies and compiles the data. Sorry I never paid attention to who asked for them. They will usually give you the form and a self addressed envelope. It also asks for hometown and stuff like that.

You never have to do it and it isn't part of hiring decisions. This practice is fine. However, asking race during an interview for the purpose of hiring decisions is illegal. Not sure how this would come up though, I mean did they ask are you black? Or was it making small talk that went a little too far?

[Anonymous User]

don't alot of law firms hand out self-identify forms? isn't that the same as asking about race?

Those aren't part of hiring decisions and are used by recruiters to prove the firm doesn't discriminate but just doesn't get qualified applicants of various races.

out the firm and report it.

Lots of firms do the forms that self report. You mail them to someone else at the firm and they keep stats on who applies and compiles the data. Sorry I never paid attention to who asked for them. They will usually give you the form and a self addressed envelope. It also asks for hometown and stuff like that.

sorry I was addressing OP.

however, how could you possibly prove that they did ask the quesiton?

[Anonymous User]

On my transcript, there are demographics. I'm mixed and on the transcript it said black. this was a black lady and she asked me why i didn't mark black and white cuz she said i was obviously mixed. it was so weird i figured she'd ask me about my c in property if anything.

[Unitas]

On my transcript, there are demographics. I'm mixed and on the transcript it said black. this was a black lady and she asked me why i didn't mark black and white cuz she said i was obviously mixed. it was so weird i figured she'd ask me about my c in property if anything.

Wow, I'm sorry. That is pretty ridiculous. I'm not sure if it is an illegal question though-race is usually off limits for hiring decisions but clarification over something you put down seems possible to be allowed-I dunno. Having your demographics on your transcript seems ridiculous. That basically relieves them from having to ask racial questions since they know.

You can tell your career services office and they will likely get her in some trouble, from banned from interviewing and up to termination. This can prevent it from happening in the future but will likely sink any chance you had there.

You can also just go talk to career services to get advice on how to handle situations like this going forward.

How did you answer?

Again sorry and your career services is going to give you the best help in the situation. Especially if you go to the head one who is most aware of what is and isn't allowed.

[Anonymous User]

thanks for the advice. i'll talk to cso about it. I was just so turned off by that and other things she did that to be honest i just wrote off the rest of the interview...not a big firm, but it was just unprofessional.

[MoS]

I am pretty sure if you bring it up then its fair game to ask about it. So if you gave that information without being prompted, I don't think you have any recourse.

[unc0mm0n1]

I am pretty sure if you bring it up then its fair game to ask about it. So if you gave that information without being prompted, I don't think you have no recourse.

This thread actually taught me something I never knew it was illegal to ask you your race. I mean maybe I'm being naive here but I thought it was pretty obvious. Wouldn't this only be an issue if you lied to get some perceived benefit like if I put white down as my race (I'm clearly not white in anyway) would the firm be allowed to call me out on my obvious lie? Is just asking your race discrimination?

[missinglink]

could u report them to some body?

Talk to career services. They will be able to handle it discreetly, but it's definitely something that should not come up during an interview.

Those demographic forms that are handed out or emailed are a different matter entirely.

[Anonymous User]

i had a firm start out an interview with a "so...are you an american?"

granted, the interviewer was an 80 y/o senior partner at the firm, and probably meant no real harm by the question, but was just curious.