Are employers allowed to ask about age during job interviews?
No, California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act prohibits employers from asking applicants about their age during a job interview. The law protects job applicants and workers from discrimination based on age, which is a protected characteristic.
Employers are not allowed to ask any direct or indirect interview questions that could reveal a candidate’s age. Even seemingly harmless questions may be unlawful. Some examples of restricted questions include:
- How old are you?
- What year were you born?
- When did you graduate high school?
An employer can ask an applicant about their age if the job has a minimum age requirement, such as one that involves serving alcohol. Generally, questions that pertain to a candidate’s qualifications for the position are likely to be acceptable. For example, “Do you meet the legal requirement to work?”
It is unlawful for an employer to make any hiring decisions based on a person’s age. If you suspect your rights have been violated during a job interview, contact Erlich Law Firm. A knowledgeable Oakland employment lawyer can determine whether you have grounds for a legal claim against the prospective employer.
Other Age Discrimination FAQs:
- Are employers allowed to ask about age during job interviews?
- How can I prove age discrimination in the workplace?
- How can I prove age discrimination?
- How long do I have to file an age discrimination claim?
- What are some examples of age discrimination in the workplace?
- What are some signs of age discrimination at work?
- What is age discrimination?
- Who does the Age Discrimination in Employment Act protect?
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My parents were heavily involved in community organizing. Seeing neighbors and friends’ parents struggle in the workplace gave me a sense of purpose that I wanted to help others. Many employees feel helpless and powerless in the workplace, and helping them vindicate their rights is the right thing to do.
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