"Why I Ask All The Illegal Questions"
Jessica Glazer
Recruitment Director | Top Canadian Recruiter | Placing $100k-$500k+ Roles Across Canada | Fractional Talent Acquisition Specialist I Montreal-Based | Truth Teller | Top 1% on LinkedIn at MindHR Inc Placement Agency
I was at a client meeting and during the meeting the CEO of the company outright said:
There are a few things you need to know about me and this office:
1) I am in serious growth mode and plan on hiring 10 people this year and 20 next.
2) I do not want anyone to be cooking or heating food in the office. It smells. The smell goes into the vents and it just doesn't go away. I don't care if it is salmon or tortellini. I threw away our microwave, I don't want it here.
3) I ask all the illegal questions.
Right then and there, as I was listening and taking notes, my pen dropped. I looked up and said in an uncomfortable laugh, "You can't be serious. You aren't allowed to ask illegal questions, that's why they are illegal, but tell me, what do you ask and why would you even want to go down that alley?"
His confident response was as follows:
"I ask:
If they are married.
How old their kids are.
Are they planning on having more babies.
How religious they are.
I ask them ALL!"
After indicating again that these are all in fact illegal questions and that he could get into a lot of trouble for asking those questions, I am intrigued by his nonchalant train of thought, so I decided to inquire further.
But why do you ask these questions? They are in fact illegal.
And here are his views:
1) If they don't want to answer, they don't have to. I won't hold it against them but I want to know more about them. It is not like I am not going to find out the answers once they start working for me, so why not know now? Why can't we live in a society where we can talk openly about who we are? I have two young kids, I am Italian, I was born in.... I will reveal information about me and they can reveal more about themselves.
2) I need to know how I am going to plan my company. If I hire someone today, will they be gone to have kids tomorrow? Are they going to work for me for 4 months and then go collect maternity leave? Will they still want to work while having a baby? Will they come back after their leave? Do they live too far from my office and how will my location affect their commute? If they are religious do they need specific days off? If yes, which ones? This information reveals to me who I am hiring and how I can organize my company without any curve balls. It is not like I won't hire the person who wants to have a baby or needs half day Fridays in the winter because they are observant Jews. I just want to know their plan so I can plan as well. It's not like a single person can't get pregnanteither, anything can happen at any time but isn't knowledge power? So wouldn't we be better off knowing what is ahead?
3) I don't believe they should be illegal. People today are too sensitive. What's the big deal in me knowing more about them before they start a new job? It is not like I am blurting it out there telling everyone or anyone else. I am not calling references making claims I am making a conversation. I have kids, I am Italian, I also offer above average salaries, flexible hours, 3 weeks of vacation, a pension plan, an extra week off for sick days and I contribute to RRSP plans. I treat my employees well. Legally, I can't even ask where they live as it can be considered discrimination. I just want to know more about them before they start working with me, but society has indicated that I can't ask and the truth is, there's no reason why I can't ask, especially if I am not holding it against them. If I am polite about it, and want to ensure I hire the right person for my company then we should be able to talk about it. I won't hold it against them for their answers, I just want to know.
Am I wrong?
Director, Senior Scientist
9 年This reminds me of a joke I heard years ago which is too long to write here. But the gist of it was that two professional associates were playing golf and one kept doing things like moving the ball etc. At the end of the game the one who hadn't cheated told the other that their professional and personal relationship was over, since if he was OK with cheating in golf, we had to believe that cheating was just his nature. As a consultant, I do see other cultures who specifically hire single people who are expected to travel globally extensively. When I have inquired about this, they say that is how they build their career. Not much of a life to have.
Concept Economic Prosperity Innovation Initiation Business Development Creation Executive Teams Leader
9 年I also upon selecting a final three potential new hire, I often ask getting to know the fit questions. I also don't believe they should be deemed improper, as making the right fit is of importance in lost endeavors of time and expense to both employer and new potential team members. I have engaged people from almost every part of the world, and find the biggest management task is utilizing the best in everyone and complementing our individual handy caps with those who excel in our areas of weakness, and the best in that comes from knowledge
Seasoned CPG Executive / Brand Management / P&L Management / Strategic Marketing / Financial Analysis / Employee Engagement /
9 年I'd be concerned if I was being interviewed by someone who was asking m illegal questions - I probably wouldn't want to work for them.
Director, Facilities Management at Centretown Citizens Ottawa Corporation * Board Chair and President Options Housing, Vice President Daybreak Housing*
9 年Aleandre - one phrase for you to conjure with "President Stephen Harper"
I Help Businesses Elevate Customer Engagement, Design Exceptional Experiences & Drive Business Agility to the Next Level. Together, Let's Deliver What's Right!
9 年Hi Five to Ms. Inna and... This CEO seems to be here in Canada, a great Constitutional Monarchy (sic) so he think he'll get away from the Queen's Law enforcement... Pitty, I wish we were in a great Republic!