potential employer wanting to know further info inc marital status?

[Borisjohnsonshairbrush]

Hello,

I applied for a job recently and they have got back to me today wanting to clarify more information to collate responses from their applicants, one of the questions he has asked -

. What is your Marital Status.

Huh??

How is that even relevant to my application?

Have they sent you a standard equal opps monitoring form, or have they come back with an email asking your Marital status?

No, its not an equal opps form. this was question number four -

1. What is your Marital Status.

1. What are your salary expectations.

1. What is your current notice period / availability to start.

That's weird. I would put 'prefer not to say'

That's come directly from the MD, so surely they would know that question belongs on an eq ops form not questions to filter down applicants?

Employment lawyers will tell you that asking a candidate whether they're married or planning to have children is inappropriate - but not, technically speaking, illegal.

However, there are restrictions in place to prevent prospective employers from using this personal information against you. The 2010 Equality Act prohibits companies from treating an individual less favourably as a result of their sex, sexual orientation, marital status, or plans to start a family.

Personally I think it’s a load of crap and would have no problem saying whether I’m married or not.

Probably trying to find out if you might be going to get pregnant at some point or trying to find out if they can get away with paying you less. Married women only work for pin money after all (sarcasm)

Either way, I don't think they should be asking this. It's probably against the law.

I would also reply to number 5 with COMPETITIVE

4. What is your Marital Status.

N/A

I would put “is not relevant”

I'd ignore the marital status question.

I think they've just given you some really useful information about themselves. Heed it. 🚩

I've got no issue disclosing martial status as a clearly written employment ops form but as part of the questions to filter down applicants? Trah!

What @PicsInRed said.

I’d answer No 5 with “whatever you’re paying men in the same position”.

haha Yes @Jellycatspyjamas

This is so depressing 😞 the kind of thing you sadly know happens, but to see it this blatantly.. Christ.

what's also depressing, I'm 35 years old and an office admin role has also now asked if i have my GCSE certificates,

And I have got over 10years office admin exp too

They’ve asked for your GCSE certificates? That’s bonkers.

Is it a small company?