Can I be asked these questions on a job application?

[ooohaaaahjustalittlebit]

I'm filling out a job application and there are two questions I'm not sure should be on there.

• How many days have you had off sick in the past 12 months?
• Do you have any children?

Does anyone know if I have to answer these? Thanks

They absolutely shouldn’t ask as part of the application, no. (HR bod.). What company is this?

I think the sick days is fair. And the children is unfair / discriminatory. But I'm no expert.

No they shouldn’t, especially not the children one!

It's for a job in a Pre School.
I've hardly had any time off as it happens and yes I do have children, but I'm not sure they should be asking which makes me question whether I want to work there!

What are they going to do with the information? If they use either of the answers for shortlisting then they have (potentially) discriminated on the grounds of a protected characteristic. If someone taking a lengthy period of time off for a condition considered a disability doesn’t get an Interview on that basis they’ve discriminated illegally.

(20+ years in HR. I would consider myself something of an expert.)

Thank you for your answer. I'm actually considering taking some time off for work related stress and I'm worried it will go against me when applying for future jobs, it's the main thing that's making me carry on going in every day.