Jobs and their dodgy questions - "Catholic or Protestant?'

UglyBolloxFace · 08-11-2011 02:31PM #1

I'm applying for a job at the moment. It's based in the North, and one of the requirements is to answer the following:

Regardless of whether we practice religion, most of us in Northern Ireland are seen as either Catholic or Protestant. We are therefore asking you to indicate your community background by selecting the appropriate decscription below.

*Roman Catholic
*Protestant
or
*Neither

Is it just me or is this a completely pointless question? It leaves the employer open to accusations of discrimination, whether they like to admit it or not.

What do you think of this? And have you come across this before?

In case you're wondering, I chose 'neither'.

MagicMarker · 08-11-2011 02:32PM

It's not a job in the IRA is it? If so I'd think very carefully before answering.

pickarooney · 08-11-2011 02:33PM

They most likely have some sort of quota to fill, if not in specific roles, then overall.

FetchTheGin · 08-11-2011 02:33PM

MagicMarker wrote: »

It's not a job in the IRA is it? If so I'd think very carefully before answering.

Yes because the IRA is exclusive to N.I. :rolleyes:

IvyTheTerrible · 08-11-2011 02:34PM

AFAIK, it's a monitoring question, to make sure they are not discriminating against one particular group.

When you apply to uni in the north you have a separate form to fill in with those questions on it, it's just for stats and is not held with your application.

MagicMarker · 08-11-2011 02:34PM

FetchTheGin wrote: »

Yes because the IRA is exclusive to N.I. :rolleyes:

Cool story bro.

stovelid · 08-11-2011 02:35PM

Don't ask people their religion and end up with too many of either prods/taigs working for you: discrimination there so it is.

Ask people their religion to fill quota and balance recruits: that's discrimination there so it is.

foxyboxer · 08-11-2011 02:37PM

I fail to see how your religion (or lack thereof) affects your ability to, erm, do the job!

It's like the US visa application. Stupid questions that have to be asked anyway.

"Have you ever been involved in or participated in genocide?"
"Were you afficiliated with the Nazi Party in Germany from 1933-1945?"

Ehhhhhh...let me see....No.

Jimoslimos · 08-11-2011 02:37PM

I think by law they are required to do this. The data isn't considered for the job and should be removed by HR before it reaches the person reviewing your application.

AFAIK all the data is pooled/collected by government so they can build up a profile of potential bias/discrimination in the wider community.

At least I hope that's the case, but given that its NI who knows.

Pope John 11 · 08-11-2011 02:38PM

FetchTheGin wrote: »

Yes because the IRA is exclusive to N.I. :rolleyes:

You might get relocated to Dundalk in the future if that suits you in any way.

df1985 · 08-11-2011 02:39PM

A recruitement agent told me one time to tick the most obscure options in them questions. she probably has people going in saying im mary murphy, a transexual hindu.

oranbhoy67 · 08-11-2011 02:41PM

Coming from Glasgow i have expierence of this,, if an employer doesnt want you for your religion they wont ask you your religion out right they will intead ask what school you went to, what football team you support, they are the ones you have to watch.

Both my parents are Irish but i have a Scottish surname so i dont think i suffered as bad as some of my fellow Catholics but believe me religous discrimination is still widespread in Glasgow, & seeing that is a watered down version of the north im guessing its still as bad there.

off topic slightly but on the 1st day on my job with Glasgow City Council, at lunchtime there was a tradititon of a new start being took to one of the old timers who had the uncanny knack of being able to tell if we were a hun/prod (protestant) or a tim/tarrier/fenian (catholic) supposdley he never ever got it wrong & he certainly guessed right every time i saw him do it

KeithAFC · 08-11-2011 02:45PM

Depends what area the job is in. Then put down your answer accordingly.

Kojak · 08-11-2011 02:47PM

I knew a lad before who was filling out a job application form, and whn it came to the question "SEX?" he wrote "yes please"

eviltimeban · 08-11-2011 02:48PM

Just answer "neither"? Might be the best option.

Just like in the Simpsons: "Christian, Jew, or... miscellaneous!" :-)

twinytwo · 08-11-2011 02:55PM

stovelid wrote: »

Don't ask people their religion and end up with too many of either prods/taigs working for you: discrimination there so it is.

Ask people their religion to fill quota and balance recruits: that's discrimination there so it is.

is balancing employees based on religion not discrimination in its own right??

Davidth88 · 08-11-2011 02:57PM

NI is the only part of the UK they ask that question , they have to.

This is actually to ensure that discrimination does not happen because the employers then have to show that they are not biased , because the applications may have to be showm to the authorities .

Now as a previous poster said , before this came in what they did was ask your school , then they may discriminate but nothing could be proved .

Interestingly , if you ask this question anywhere else in the UK you can get into trouble .

I used to work in a company that had branches in NI ,and the rest of the UK, and HR would drum this into us.

LighterGuy · 08-11-2011 02:58PM

UglyBolloxFace wrote: »

In case you're wondering, I chose 'neither'.

Whoa ... that's dodgy.
Knowing all the troubles in the North they really shouldn't ask that question.

I know I mentioned this before on here. But in 2008 I had an interview with the book shop Borders in the Blanchardstown Shopping Centre. 2 things struck out ... 1, long ass interview. it was an hour ffs, its only retail! .. and 2, on the form they asked if you are Straight, Gay or bisexual. But phrased it in a different manner:

(Q), Which of the following you describes you:

- I find I am attracted to men.
- I find I am attracted to women.
- I find I am attracted to both male and female.

I still didnt get the job :pac:

ejmaztec · 08-11-2011 03:00PM

A guy who decided to start his own SuperValu store years ago (In the Munster area), was asked by a Musgrave man whether he was Catholic or Protestant, the reason being that the Musgrave man couldn't figure out what religion he was by making assumptions about his surname.

seamus · 08-11-2011 03:03PM

Yep, this question is a legal requirement by all employers in Northern Ireland. It's for monitoring to ensure that there's no discrimination taking place.

The "Neither" answer is new. A couple of years ago (like 2008), it was not possible for someone from NI to choose "Neither". You were either Catholic or Protestant and that's that.

Snakeblood · 08-11-2011 03:05PM

LighterGuy wrote: »

Whoa ... that's dodgy.
Knowing all the troubles in the North they really shouldn't ask that question.

I know I mentioned this before on here. But in 2008 I had an interview with the book shop Borders in the Blanchardstown Shopping Centre. 2 things struck out ... 1, long ass interview. it was an hour ffs, its only retail! .. and 2, on the form they asked if you are Straight, Gay or bisexual. But phrased it in a different manner:

(Q), Which of the following you describes you:

- I find I am attracted to men.
- I find I am attracted to women.
- I find I am attracted to both male and female.

I still didnt get the job :pac:

You should have circled all three. If they asked, tell them you thought the third one referred to orgies.

ejmaztec · 08-11-2011 03:05PM

seamus wrote: »

Yep, this question is a legal requirement by all employers in Northern Ireland. It's for monitoring to ensure that there's no discrimination taking place.

The "Neither" answer is new. A couple of years ago (like 2008), it was not possible for someone from NI to choose "Neither". You were either Catholic or Protestant and that's that.

None of the Jedis have got a job?:(

Gingko · 08-11-2011 03:09PM

Born again Pagan Celt!!!!

gizmo555 · 08-11-2011 03:15PM

ejmaztec wrote: »

None of the Jedis have got a job?:(

They have, but they need to know if they're Protestant Jedis or Catholic Jedis

gurramok · 08-11-2011 03:25PM

They should really ask if you are a Nationalist, Unionist or Dissenter instead of using religion to figure out your political persuasion.

nice_very · 08-11-2011 08:19PM

KeithAFC wrote: »

Depends what area the job is in. Then put down your answer accordingly.

...and all of a sudden you expose yourself for the cowardly sell-out that you are.

mcmoustache · 08-11-2011 08:25PM

oranbhoy67 wrote: »

off topic slightly but on the 1st day on my job with Glasgow City Council, at lunchtime there was a tradititon of a new start being took to one of the old timers who had the uncanny knack of being able to tell if we were a hun/prod (protestant) or a tim/tarrier/fenian (catholic) supposdley he never ever got it wrong & he certainly guessed right every time i saw him do it

Taigs have scruffier hair. That's all he was seeing.

Hobbes · 08-11-2011 08:53PM

http://www.equalityni.org/sections/default.asp?cms=Your%20Rights_Fair%20employment%20&%20treatment&cmsid=2_56&id=56&secid=2

There are exceptions, but that question sounds like it is not one of them. You should probably ask them what is their stance on the FETO bill.

Hobbes · 08-11-2011 08:54PM

Davidth88 wrote: »

NI is the only part of the UK they ask that question , they have to.

See link above. They can only ask it in certain circumstances.

Bottle_of_Smoke · 08-11-2011 09:04PM

seamus wrote: »

Yep, this question is a legal requirement by all employers in Northern Ireland. It's for monitoring to ensure that there's no discrimination taking place.

The "Neither" answer is new. A couple of years ago (like 2008), it was not possible for someone from NI to choose "Neither". You were either Catholic or Protestant and that's that.

Even funnier is you still can't really choose it. If you tick neither they decide which you are based on your school or surname.

"If you do not answer the above question, we are encouraged to use the residuary method of making a determination, which means that we can make a determination as to your community background on the basis of the personal information supplied by you in your application."

Where To · 08-11-2011 09:05PM

Any time I was ever asked that question I just ticked both, and the hindu/shaman/voodoo etc options if available, no big deal.

Jobs and their dodgy questions - "Catholic or Protestant?'

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