How would you feel as a minority being asked these questions in an interview?

I’d say ‘that’s a completely inappropriate question’ and if I didn’t get a satisfactory remark to my statement, I’d laugh in their face and walk out.

It’s wrong but I guess it saves the unpleasantness of being employed by a company that really sucks to work for. Personally I would have stood up and walked out at either of those two questions. They’re both incredibly insulting.

Contact the local job services office and ask how to file for an EEOC complaint. The managers and the company can be in a world of hurt if your boyfriend wants to press the issue.

@WestRiverrat First thing tomorrow I’m on that!

Oh yea another ironic point the owner of the company, is a big name former OU football player with a chain of restaurants, whom also happens to be a minority himself!

@JustJessica Well, clearly, being part of a minority doesn’t necessitate tact or knowledge or undestanding.

@Simone_De_Beauvoir yes very true.

@JustJessica filing the complaint may not get your boyfriend any direct benefit, but it will at least be on record and may help future applicants.

Don’t want to get you or your boyfriends hopes up too high. And even if he does end up being offered a job, would he really want to work there?

We wouldn’t be filing this complaint wanting anything in return except for this to not happened to anyone else in the future.

In no way shape or form does he want to work for this company at this point. I just feel the issue should be dealt with however these situations are dealt with.

One of my best friends was scheduled to take her exam to become an American citizen,
before asking any questions having to do with they exam,
they rapid fire questioned her things like:
Have you ever been involved with: or are you currently involved with terrorists?\
Are you a terrorist?
Are you plotting to take over the United States?
and other really bizzare questions….

For some reason that’s what this question triggered for me…

If someone said “you look like you might be a felon” to me, I’d be all like “and you look like you might have my foot up your ass in a few seconds”. :P

I honestly…I don’t even…

We don’t live in the days of government-sanctioned segregation anymore; there is not one iota of those questions that are acceptable.

It doesn’t matter that your boyfriend is considered a minority or not; these questions were out of line for just being offensive to anyone. As @downtide said, he’s better off knowing on the front end what kind of person the one doing the interviewing is before taking a job there.

As obvious as the descrimination may appear, unless he knows the qualifications of the two that were offered a job, it’s speculation. There is a chance that they were more qualified. They may have been asked the same questions. And just because they were offered a job doesn’t mean that they will get it. Background and drug tests are often conducted after an initial offer has been given.

If this took place in the US, I hope that your boyfriend will file an EEOC complaint.. The burden of proof in a case like this resides on the shoulders of the company and not on him. They will be required to show documentation that the more qualified candidates were offered jobs. It won’d do your boyfriend any good, but it will help others in the long run.

I’d feel glad I didn’t get hired and sorry for that girl that did. I would threaten to sue the snot of them just to shake things up a bit. Filing a complaint at least will give the next poor soul a chance to have a real case against this schmuck.

It happens more than you know. While there are whiners in the minority population, most are upset about something very real.

Speaking about it invites derision, so most avoid talking specifics. I’m very glad your boyfriend spelled it out.

There’s no point in filing an EEOC complaint, in my humble opinion, especially if it were to catch the ear of the media. I dunno. That’s a decision he has to make.

@boxer3 Have you ever been involved with: or are you currently involved with terrorists?
Are you a terrorist?
Are you plotting to take over the United States?

They weren’t singling anyone out there. I am a 5th generation US citizen and had to answer these questions for a Federal job:

“Have you ever been an officer or a member or made a contribution to an organization dedicated to the violent overthrow of the United States Government and which engages in illegal activities to that end, knowing that the organization engages in such activities with the specific intent to further such activities?”

“Have you ever knowingly engaged in any acts or activities designed to overthrow the United States Government by force?”

Q1: ^.^ Shocked.
Q2: >.< Angry.

does your bf have any visable tatoos or earrings? Did he wear professional clothing or casual?

@tigress3681 He actually has no tattoos no piercings, and was very well dressed. Nothing about his appearance is menacing.

I guess I just feel that this situation should be brought to someones attention.
It is nice to hear that we aren’t the only ones who found this offensive.

@jaytkay, I suppose that maybe its different in the sense that they don’t only just ask those questions to certain people,and skip those questions for others.. but when she told me about it – it just sort of threw me for a loop, and felt like I might be offended if they’d asked me that.. I dunno-

However, you’re right the situation is different- just what came to mind.

and @JustJessica, I just think that whole situation is frustrating- people can be so judgemental, and even if his appearance was “meanacing- which you clarified it wasn’t- I know plenty of people who have tattoos, piercings etc. who are great people/workers….so either way that particular place of employment, in my opinion was definitly in the wrong.

If you don’t like stupid racists there are enough options in this world (even in a difficult economy) to find another job.

Stupid racists.

One afterthought @JustJessica. Have your BF write a letter to the main office of the company. The owner and upper management may not be aware of what is going on at the local branch.

They should, but it is not difficult to cover up if the owner doesn’t make regular unscheduled visits to the local branches.

Do what @WestRiverrat said, that sounds the most diplomatic and progrssive way to handle this.

@jaytkay, those sound like the same questions I was asked when I applied for a student loan something like 40 years ago. I think they are standard for certain kinds of interactions with the government, such as applying for civil service jobs.

I would feel the same way you and your boyfriend feel. But, on the other hand, I’d feel relief for not being hired by such an ignoramus.

@Jeruba Interesting, I thought it was a recent ruleand they were looking for terrorists, I guess they were asking if I were a commie!

@jaytkay, yes, or an anarchist.