Can you legally ask someone if they smoke in an interview?

You can only ask questions directly related to an applicant's potential job performance, so while you can't ask if he smokes, you can ask if he's even been disciplined for violating a company policy regarding smoking.
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What you Cannot legally ask in an interview?

In the United States, it is illegal for an employer to discriminate against a job applicant because of race, color, religion, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation, and pregnancy), age, national origin, or disability.
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Can I not hire someone because they smoke?

Smokers are not a “protected” class under the law. In contrast, discrimination in hiring based on race, sex, religion, is currently illegal. For employers who provide health insurance as a benefit, their employees who smoke incur higher health costs, which the employer must pay for.
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Can you get fired for smelling like cigarettes?

Nobody wants their employees to smell like smoke. But, in 29 states and D.C., it's illegal to terminate or refuse to hire someone as a result of legal off-duty conduct, including smoking.
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What does OSHA say about smoking?

OSHA is charged with protecting the safety and health of workers and does not regulate the ventilation of residences. Currently, OSHA has no regulations that apply to smoking, however, OSHA does have a standard which limits employee exposure to carbon monoxide one of the products from the combustion of tobacco.
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Interview questions they can't ask



Which of the following questions is illegal to ask in a job interview in the United States?

All of these areas of questioning are considered illegal in the United States.
  • Sex questions are off limits. ...
  • Questions about marriage and children are illegal. ...
  • Your Citizenship and Nationality are private. ...
  • Asking about religion is a no-no. ...
  • Your Age is your business. ...
  • candidate – n. ...
  • qualification – n. ...
  • prospective – adj.
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What is illegal to ask on a job application?

Questions should focus on job-related issues and protect the privacy and employment rights of all applicants. It's illegal to ask about certain characteristics protected by law such as gender, age, race, religion, national origin, disability, or marital status.
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For what reason may an employer legally not hire an applicant?

It is illegal for an employer to discriminate against a job applicant because of his or her race, color, religion, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation, and pregnancy), national origin, age (40 or older), disability or genetic information.
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Can I sue for illegal interview questions?

While you can't sue just because you were asked a question, being asked an inappropriate question could be evidence of discrimination if you aren't hired. Questions that are inappropriate are those that relate to legally-protected categories under the law.
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What are my rights in an interview?

Job applicants have legal rights even before they become employees. Under federal law, an employer cannot illegally discriminate in its hiring processs based on a job applicant's race, national origin, gender, pregnancy, age, disability, or religion.
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What are unethical hiring practices?

A hiring practice is considered unfair if you aren't transparent about the position (such as causing a job candidate to be misinformed about what the position entails or what their pay will be) or if you're using different criteria to judge one candidate from another (for example, if you don't hire someone because you ...
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Which of the following is an inappropriate question to ask during a job interview?

Examples of inappropriate job questions

your sexual preference. your gender identity. your disability status. your ethnicity, race, colour, nationality or cultural background.
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How do you respond to illegal interview questions?

Use a neutral and professional tone. By pointing it out, you are putting the employer on alert that you're aware the question is off-limits. If they continue to ask the illegal question, you do have the right not to answer the question. And, you can always walk away from the interview.
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What should you not do when interviewing someone?

15 Things You Should NOT Do at an Interview
  1. Not Doing Your Research. ...
  2. Turning Up Late. ...
  3. Dressing Inappropriately. ...
  4. Fidgeting With Unnecessary Props. ...
  5. Poor Body Language. ...
  6. Unclear Answering and Rambling. ...
  7. Speaking Negatively About Your Current Employer. ...
  8. Not Asking Questions.
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What can and Cannot be asked during an employment interview?

The Equal Employment Opportunity Act (EEOA) prohibits you from asking questions that might lead to discrimination or the appearance of discrimination.
...
Bottom line: you cannot ask questions that in any way relate to a candidate's:
  • Age.
  • Race.
  • Ethnicity.
  • Color.
  • Gender.
  • Sex.
  • Sexual orientation or gender identity.
  • Country of origin.
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What are the 5 illegal questions to ask in an interview?

5 Illegal Interview Questions You Should Never Answer (and What to Do When Facing Them)
  • "Where are you from originally?" ...
  • "Do you go to church?" ...
  • "When did you graduate from high school (or college)?" ...
  • "Are you married?" ...
  • "How would you handle managing a team of all men?"
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What can't I ask when hiring?

For example, you can't ask an applicant: Have any of your close relatives had a heart attack or been diagnosed with a heart condition? Do mental health conditions such as bipolar disorder, depression or schizophrenia run in your family? Have you had genetic tests to determine whether you are at risk for cancer?
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What is an illegal question?

An illegal question is one where the applicant is being asked to share information that has no bearing on the position they have applied for. As a student and job seeker, it is easy to forget you have options…. BUT YOU DO!
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How do you deflect inappropriate interview questions?

How do I respond?
  1. Gracefully avoid the question and steer the conversation elsewhere.
  2. Keep your answers short, broad and general.
  3. Redirect a question to your interviewer.
  4. Ask the interviewer why the question is relevant to your job.
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Can employers ask personal questions?

As an employer, you are not allowed to ask about an individual's past or present personal health, including operations, hospital visits, or doctor's appointments. You also need to avoid any questions about mental health, disabilities, and anything else related to the mental and physical status of the employee.
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What is an example of an inappropriate interview question?

Example #6: "Tell me about your disability and how it has shaped you?" Why It Is Inappropriate: The Americans with Disabilities Act makes it illegal for employers to discriminate against qualified job applicants and employees based on their physical or mental disabilities.
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Which of the following types of questions should not be asked on an interview?

1 Answer. biased questions and loaded questions types of questions should not be asked on an interview.
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What is discrimination in the hiring process?

Discrimination in the hiring process occurs when a job applicant is treated unfairly or unequally because he or she belongs to a protected class. The California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) and several federal laws prohibit discrimination in the hiring process.
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How do you know if you are being discriminated against in the hiring process?

In order to prove that you have been discriminated against you must show that:
  1. You are part of a protected class.
  2. You were qualified for the position applied for.
  3. The job was not offered to you.
  4. The employer continued to seek applicants or a less qualified applicant was hired.
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Is nepotism illegal in the workplace?

“Nepotism” is the practice of giving jobs or favorable treatment to friends and family members. Nepotism in and of itself is not illegal. A company owner is allowed to hire a daughter, son, sibling, friend, or any other person they like, even if that person is not the most qualified for the job.
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