Pre-Employment Inquiry Guide

Civil Rights

Questions You Can and Can't Ask

LAWFUL PRE-EMPLOYMENT INQUIRIES

UNLAWFUL PRE-EMPLOYMENT INQUIRIES

NAME

Applicant's full name. Have you ever worked for this company under a different name? Is any additional information relative to a different name necessary to check work record? If yes explain.

Original name of an applicant whose name has been changed by court order or otherwise. Applicant's maiden name.

ADDRESS OR DURATION OF RESIDENCE

How long a resident of this state or city?

 

BIRTHPLACE
 

Birthplace of applicant.

Birthplace of applicant's parents, spouse or other close relatives.

Requirements that applicant submit birth certificate, naturalization or baptismal record, unless as part of I-9 form.

AGE

*Are you over 18 years of age?

How old are you? What is your date of birth?

RELIGION OR CREED

 

Inquiry into an applicant's religious denomination, religious affiliations, church, parish, pastor, or religious holidays observed.

RACE OR COLOR

 

Complexion or color of skin.

PHOTOGRAPH

 

Any requirement for a photograph prior to hire.

HEIGHT

 

Inquiry regarding applicant's height.

WEIGHT

 

Inquiry regarding applicant's weight.

MARITAL STATUS

Is your spouse employed by this employer?

Requirement that an applicant provide any information regarding marital status or children. Are you single or married? Do you have any children? Is your spouse employed? What is your spouse's name?

SEX

 

Mr., Miss or Mrs. or an inquiry regarding sex. Inquiry as to the ability to reproduce or advocacy of any form of birth control Requirement that women be given pelvic examinations.

DISABILITY

Can you perform the essential duties of the job in which you wish to be employed, with or without accommodation?

Inquiries regarding an individual's physical or mental condition which are not directly related to the requirements of a specific job and which are used as a factor in making employment decisions in a way which is contrary to the provisions or purposes of the Persons with Disabilities Civil Rights Act.

CITIZENSHIP

If not a citizen of the United States, does applicant intend to become a citizen of the United States? If you are not a United States citizen, have you the legal right to remain permanently in the United States? Do you intend to remain permanently in the United States?

 (To avoid discrimination based on national origin, the questions above should be asked after the individual has been hired, even if it is related to the Federal I-9 process.)

(Questions below are unlawful unless asked as part of the Federal I-9 process.) Of what country are you a citizen? Whether an applicant is naturalized or a native-born citizen; the date when the applicant acquired citizenship. Requirement that an applicant produce naturalization papers or first papers.  Whether applicant's parents or spouse are naturalized or native born citizens of the United States; the date when such parent or spouse acquire citizenship.

NATIONAL ORIGIN

Inquiry into languages applicant speaks and writes fluently.

 

Inquiry into applicant's (a) lineage; (b) ancestry; (c) national origin; (d) descent; (e) parentage, or nationality, unless pursuant to the Federal I-9 process Nationality of an applicant's parents or spouse.  Inquiry into how applicant acquired ability to read, write or speak a foreign language.

EDUCATION

Inquiry into the academic vocational or professional education of an applicant and the public and private schools attended.

 

EXPERIENCE

Inquiry into work experience. Inquiry into countries applicant has visited.

 

ARRESTS

Have you ever been convicted of a crime?

Are there any felony charges pending against you?

Inquiry regarding arrests which did not result in conviction. (Except for law enforcement agencies.)

RELATIVES

Names of applicant's relatives already employed by this company.

Address of any relative of applicant, other than address (within the United States) of applicant's father and mother, husband or wife and minor dependent children.

NOTICE IN CASE OF EMERGENCY

Name and address of person to be notified in case of accident or emergency.

Name and address of nearest relative to be notified in case of accident or emergency.

ORGANIZATIONS

Inquiry into the organizations of which an applicant is a member, excluding the names or characters which indicate the race, color, religion, national origin or ancestry of its members.

List all clubs, societies and lodges to which you belong.


*This question may be asked only for the purpose of determining whether applicants are of legal age for employment.

For further information, refer to the Michigan Civil Rights website at this link.

     

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