Employee Manual 2025 - Flipbook - Page 92
Religion
Applicants are protected from discrimination based on religious denomination, beliefs, customs,
or religious holidays observed. Questions that could elicit religious information should be avoided
unless they have a clear correlation to need, such as working on Saturdays or Sundays, or peak
periods. If asked, the question should be limited to stating the requirements of the position, and
should be asked of all applicants.
Sick Leave/Medical Conditions
Questions that elicit information about how many days an applicant was sick or other questions
pertaining to sick leave or medical conditions should be avoided.
Workers' Compensation
Questions that elicit information about an applicant's workers' disability compensation history
should be avoided.
Sources:
U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission sites. www.eeoc.gov
U.S. Office of Personnel Management sites. www.opm.gov
Acceptable and Unacceptable Questions
Following is a representative list of unacceptable and acceptable questions. It is NOT all-inclusive
but is meant as a guide to assist you in the interview process. If an inquiry could be discriminatory,
it is best to avoid it. If you are unsure about a question; do not ask!
Subject
Name
Age
Acceptable
Current legal name.
Have you ever worked under a different
name? Is any additional information, relative
to a change of name necessary to enable a
check of your educational or work records?
Are you over the age of eighteen?
National
All offers of employment are
Origin/Citizenship contingent upon verification of identity
and work authorization in the United
States. Are you legally authorized to work
in the United States?
Race, Color
None
Gender/Gender
None
Unacceptable
Maiden Name.
Questions about national origin,
ancestry,
or prior marital status.
Age. Birth Date. Questions that
might identify the applicant's age,
especially, over age 40.
Questions as to nationality lineage,
ancestry, national origin, descent,
parentage of applicant or applicant's
spouse. What is your mother tongue?
Asking how an applicant acquired ability
to read, write, or speak a foreign
Questions that indicate applicant's race
or color, complexion or color of skin,
eyes or hair. Direct or indirect
reference to race, color, or racial
Questions about an applicant's
City of Plymouth Employee manual - Page 92 – May 2025
