Application forms and Illeagal questions

Our man in Havana

Just got an application form for a security company.

They want to know everything short of what you had for breakfast!

Couple of questions:

1. Is it unlwful for a employer to ask for your pps number in an initial app?

2. Are questions regarding marital status outlawed? I dont see how if you are single/ divorced etc makes any difference?

Thanks
James

WhiteWashMan

well mr bond, if that is indeed your real name....

with regards to security firms, then most companies will do an very in-depth search into your last 10 years history, regarding everything, including what you had for breakfast.

otherwise you could be a bank robber

many places ask if you are single or married. you are not allowed to discriminate on the grounds of marital status, however, there is no law stating that you can ask.

krankykitty

Another irrelevant question - whats your father's occupation??
What does that have to do with anything! I got asked that one in my application for Hector Grays a long time ago

sceptre

Just write "Stand-up philosopher". That'll impress 'em no end

Our man in Havana

Originally posted by WhiteWashMan
well mr bond, if that is indeed your real name....

with regards to security firms, then most companies will do an very in-depth search into your last 10 years history, regarding everything, including what you had for breakfast.

otherwise you could be a bank robber

many places ask if you are single or married. you are not allowed to discriminate on the grounds of marital status, however, there is no law stating that you can ask.

But how long can they hold said information? If you dont get the job do they shred the forms?

Anyway, what sort of search can they do? There are laws preventing people from accesing data about other people.

Victor

Originally posted by Bond-James Bond
1. Is it unlwful for a employer to ask for your pps number in an initial app?

Generally they shouldn't, but given that it is a security company, it can be argued they need to ask more probing questions. While the information will be needed for the employment, it isn't needed for the interview. However, shouldn't they do the interview before security checks? Are you being asked to sign a waiver to allow they do security checks and reference checks?

Originally posted by Bond-James Bond
2. Are questions regarding marital status outlawed? I dont see how if you are single/ divorced etc makes any difference?

Again they shouldn't. The only time you are allowed ask questions relating to the various anti-discrimination clauses is on a separate anonymous questionnaire for the purposes of verifying non-discrimination.

Originally posted by WhiteWashMan
many places ask if you are single or married. you are not allowed to discriminate on the grounds of marital status, however, there is no law stating that you can ask.

There was a case in the civil service where the used the above procedure (the anonymous questionnaire) and there was a complaint from a gay man that he was asked was he gay on the questionnaire. The finding was that it was legal, but that the only reason it was permitted was it was separate and anonymous.

Originally posted by Bond-James Bond
But how long can they hold said information? If you dont get the job do they shred the forms? Anyway, what sort of search can they do? There are laws preventing people from accesing data about other people.

If it's not on a computer, forever. If it's on a computer, it must be destroyed when it's purpose has been completed (you don't get the job or when you leave the firm). But beware of waivers.

Our man in Havana

Thanks Victor

The form said that they wont contact anyone without your consent.

I had a chat with a nice chap from the equality authourity and he told me that such questions are not allowed and the company can be fined up to €12,700 for each offence.

So If I dont get an interview I shall persue the matter with them.

Victor

No problem.

Originally posted by Bond-James Bond
So If I dont get an interview I shall persue the matter with them.

Just be careful you don't get blacklisted (which could get you more compo).

Our man in Havana

What do you mean victor?

Victor

Originally posted by Bond-James Bond
What do you mean victor?

Given the buddy-buddy nature of the "security" industry (and others) make sure that this guy doesn't tell his mates you are awkward (by making a complaint), thereby making you unemployable in the industry. Such behavior by employers is illeagl as secondary discrimination.

Our man in Havana

Saw another application form which is more daring in its outragoues questions!

They ask:
1. PPSN
2. Martial status
3. Full Birth cert
4. Passport if a non national.

All this is in the initial application!

I assume all this is wrong and against labour/equality laws?

anyone come across a similar type form before?

James

WhiteWashMan

Originally posted by Bond-James Bond
Saw another application form which is more daring in its outragoues questions!

They ask:
1. PPSN
2. Martial status
3. Full Birth cert
4. Passport if a non national.

All this is in the initial application!

I assume all this is wrong and against labour/equality laws?

anyone come across a similar type form before?

James

if you are still going for security firms, then no.
they can ask you for a full past 10 year history if they like
to be honest, i wouldnt give you a job gaurding millions of pounds if i didnt know *everything* about you.....

Our man in Havana

What I am concerned about is the use of the information if one is unsucessful.

Do they destroy it? I wouldnt want companies that I never worked for to retain all that information.

anyway there are only limited checks that can be done, ie criminal record check thru GS but only with a special form signed by you.

Anything else is just data harvesting.

WhiteWashMan

tbh, i cant imagine security firms having the inclination to keep your data in that fashion, howver, i guess if you are unseccesful, then you can call them up and ask them how long they keep applicant files and what happens to them.

Victor

Originally posted by WhiteWashMan
tbh, i cant imagine security firms having the inclination to keep your data in that fashion,

Some dodgy firms might.