Office for Institutional Equity and Compliance

Appropriate and Inappropriate Questions

	Appropriate Questions	Inappropriate Questions
Name	Have you worked for this university under a different name? Is any additional information about a change of name, use of an assumed name or nickname necessary to enable us to check your work and educational record? If yes, please explain.	Inquiries about the name which would indicate the applicant's lineage, ancestry, national origin, or descent. Inquiries into previous name of applicant when it has been changed by court order, or other circumstance.
Marital Status	Whether the applicant can meet specified work schedules or has activities, commitments or responsibilities that may hinder fulfillment of work responsibilities. Inquiries that are directed to all applicants about anticipated length of appointment or absences.	Any inquiries indicating the applicant's marital status number and age of children, or pregnancy. Any questions that limit job opportunity.
Age	Inquiries about the applicant's meeting the minimum legal age. Providing proof of age on hire. Verification of age may be required on hire.	Requiring the applicant to produce proof of age in the form of a birth certificate or baptismal record.
Disabilities	Are you able to perform the functions of the position?	General inquiries that do not relate reasonably to fitness to perform the job (e.g., "Do you have any disabilities?").
Ancestry or National Origin	Languages applicant reads, speaks or writes.	Inquiries into applicant's lineage, ancestry, national origin, descent, birthplace, or native language. National origin of an applicant's parent or spouse.
Education	Applicant's academic, vocational or professional education; schools attended. Inquiries into language skills.	Inquiries into the nationality, racial or religious composition of the school the applicant attended.
Relatives	Names and addresses of the parents or guardians of an applicant who is a minor. Have you any relatives working for the university?	Name or address of any relative of an adult applicant.
Notify in case of an emergency	None	Prior to employment: name and address of a relative to be notified in case of an emergency. This may be required after hire.
Organizations	Inquiries into the organizations of which an applicant is a member as long as those memberships reasonably relate to the fitness to perform a particular job. Offices the applicant has held.	Inquiries into organizational memberships when they have no bearing on the applicant's fitness to perform a job.
Credit rating	None	Any question concerning credit rating, charge accounts or related matters.
References	Names of persons willing to provide professional and/or character references for applicants.	Requiring a religious reference.
Health	If non-faculty, the applicant must submit to a physical exam.	Whether the applicant is a drug user or has serious health issues.
Sex	Inquiry about a bona fide occupational qualification.	Any inquiry that would require disclosure of sex. Otherwise qualified candidates cannot be automatically disqualified based on sex because job duties require physical labor (such as heavy lifting).
Race or color	None	Applicant's race or color of skin, eyes, and hair. Other questions that might indicate race or color.
Address or duration of residence	Where have you lived? How long have you lived there?	Inquiry about any address that would indicate national origin. Inquiry about names or relationship to a person with whom the applicant resides. Inquiry about whether an applicant owns or rents a home.
Birthplace	Can you, if employed, submit a birth certificate or other proof of U. S. citizenship, or work permit where required?	Birthplace of applicant. Birthplace of applicant's parents, spouse, or relatives. Requirement that the applicant submit a birth certificate, naturalization or baptismal record before employment. This can be required after hire.
Military	Education and experience received in service (as long as it relates to a particular job).	Type of discharge. Registration status.
Photograph	None	Request a photograph before hire. Requirement that an applicant attach a photograph to their application. A photograph may be requested after hire.
Citizenship	Statement that, if hired, the applicant may be required to submit proof of citizenship. If you are not a citizen, are you prevented from lawfully becoming employed because of your visa or immigration status?	Of what country are you a citizen? Whether the applicant, applicant's parents or spouse are naturalized, or native-born U. S. citizens. Requiring that the applicant produce their naturalization papers.