Illegal job interview questions - Page 5

fatmanfilms · #81 15.04.2021, 09:19

	Quote:	newtoswitz
	My view on this is that as an interviewee I'm judging the company based on their questions. If they ask questions you don't like in the interview, that's better than finding out the company is bad for you after being hired. Of course the companies shouldn't be discriminatory in the first place, and IMO being discriminatory is dumb the pool of workers in Switzerland is small enough without excluding people based on characteristics irrelevant to the job, but reality is that some are.

Companies would choose the very best person for the job, however that is discrimination. Weird world we live in.

Marog · #82 15.04.2021, 11:34

	Quote:	fatmanfilms
	Companies would choose the very best person for the job, however that is discrimination. Weird world we live in.

and that choice should be based on merit only and nothing else. You are mixing things up.

nickatbasel · #83 15.04.2021, 17:52

I once had an interview for a job at a sanctuary for looking after unwell birds of prey. I was asked a number of „ill eagle“ questions.

Urs Max · #84 15.04.2021, 23:53

	Quote:	Marog
	and that choice should be based on merit only and nothing else. You are mixing things up.

The criteria are the employer's, and theirs alone.

You could be the world's best gardener, yet most churches will reject you as a candidate for the maintenance of the graveyard if you insist on wearing a turban at work.

The business purpose and/or type of customer will usually be the main determinant for who can be a valid candidate. However, owners and others may have a say, too.

greenmount · #85 16.04.2021, 07:27

	Quote:	Marog
	and that choice should be based on merit only and nothing else. You are mixing things up.

In an ideal world, yes.

	Quote:	MusicChick
	Used to be Tiktok is turning the interviewees into confident showmen, used to self-branding.

Tiktok? lol. Sure, I get the idea but I think you're overestimating the power of self-promoting. My better half has interviewed a lot of folks with fabulous CVs, stating extraordinary, or less "extraordinary" these days, (academic) achievements but was often amazed at their lack of practical experience in problem solving, in spite of (allegedly) having their minds trained for years to do so. Of course it might depend on the type of job. Being an apt "showman/woman" doesn't help you much in technical professions for instance.

	Quote:	blacky
	Just wanted to share an example of how employer can reject you (at the time point when the offer should be given) because they realized you won't be happy there, and therefore, you aren't suitable for that job. .

There are companies, projects or people/managers you wouldn't really like to work with, I totally agree on that. It's good they gave him the reasons for rejection as honestly and openly as possible, I suppose that gives one some peace of mind. Good luck next time.

JulietteK · #86 16.04.2021, 11:52

	Quote:	Ankey
	Hi everyone. I have recently moved to Solothurn with my partner, since he has started to work in the area. 2 weeks ago I had a job interview and unfortunetly wasn't what I expected. Everything was going ok, until the CEO asked my about my age and immediately after if I have children. I coming from Spain where I know these are illegal question but wasn't sure if it is the same here. Reading this forum I understand its also illegal so do you know how, where should I report/complain this situation/company. Thank in advance

	Quote:	doropfiz
	Hello and welcome to Switzerland. What I'm about to write is said with goodwill. The best advice that was given to me about moving countries: Learn to accept that "here" is not "there", and that things "here" don't work in the same way as they do "back there" and - most especially - that they don't have to work the same way. It can hurt to keep having to remind oneself of that, but the sooner you can manage to make the mental transition, the happier your life will be, here. Here, in Switzerland, the very, very, very last thing that would help you, as a newcomer, to get a job and settle in well, would be for you to report or complain about the company or the employees or CEO of that company. Or even to publish the story here, which is a fully public forum. You see, the world here is very small. First of all, the population is small. Then, it is divided by into four language areas, which makes it a lot smaller. Subtract from the total the many pensioners and the children, and the many people who are currently losing their jobs due to Covid, and there is a much smaller segment of the population who has the security of being employed. This means that, in each field, the same people keep meeting up with one another, over and over. Someone's manager in one job is their student in a training course later, people leave and return and end up colleagues, or they become the business partners or service providers or suppliers of one another, over the years. The last thing you need to do to yourself, is to start off by building up a reputation as the new person in Switzerland who, having been lucky enough (and in this economic climate it really is great good fortune) to have been invited to an interview, thereafter immediately went out ready to find ways to make trouble for the potential employer. That won't put you in any good light at all, and in a small world, you may find that your reputation precedes you, and in such a case, to your detriment. The point of an employer asking whether you have children is either to make small-talk to get to know you, or else to hear from you, if you do have any, the reassurance that you and your partner have sorted out the child-care such that you are free to come to work. That's usually the most of it.

	Quote:	doropfiz
	[...] In the end, he decided to hire him anyway because he believes that he'll be able to do the job well, but I'm a long way from convinced. We shall see if they can prove me wrong. I hope so.

It's quite revealing to see how users that are not respected enough for their opinions to matter at their workplace are freely giving 'advice' online anonymously.

To user Ankey: as mentioned in an earlier post, asking maternity-related questions during an interview is certainly illegal in Switzerland as well. If you wish to do so, you can file an official complaint about the company and person that interviewed you to the public minister of the canton by the intermediary of your nearest police station.

Mica · #87 16.04.2021, 13:42

	Quote:	JulietteK
	To user Ankey: as mentioned in an earlier post, asking maternity-related questions during an interview is certainly illegal in Switzerland as well. If you wish to do so, you can file an official complaint about the company and person that interviewed you to the public minister of the canton by the intermediary of your nearest police station.

The Federal Act on Gender Equality allows an employee or prospective employee who is discriminated against due to gender to file a "civil" claim. It does not provide for any criminal sanctions. So going to the police or public prosecutor will not do you much good.