To think this is illegal?

[Beelzebop]

Just about to fill a job application in. It has a box asking for ages and number of children you have.
I thought this wouldn't be allowed as it may be discriminatory.
Am I wrong? Thanks!

I've never had to do that.

I thought it was only illegal if they didn't ask everybody the same question and if it was used to decide who got the job.

Is it a monitoring form (asks race, religion and disabilities too etc) rather than part of the actual application?

On an application? not an acceptance/contract?

Ive definitely had those asked on a contract, but in line with medical benefits, never on an application, I'd just leave them blank on an application

Leave it blank. Why would they ask for the info if they're not going to use it!

Hmm - I believe it isn't illegal to ask about age, although it isn't best practice either.

Not sure about children - never come across it before!

Unless there is a specific reason they need the information, it seems daft - opens them up to potential claims of discrimination!

It's on the main form, under main information section. Seems like it would be used against you to me, having 3 kids!

Can we post photos?

you can post photos, just choose the option below the text box

It's definitely not illegal. It's probably for monitoring, along with ethnic background tick boxes. It will be only used (should!!) to analyse who applies for which jobs, so for instance if one job attracts a higher percentage of one sex they should consider ways to market differently etc.
You don't have to tick it.

YANBU, its illegal to ask that.

www.gov.uk/employer-preventing-discrimination/recruitment

It is illegal;

Questions you can’t ask when recruiting
You must not ask candidates about ‘protected characteristics’ or whether they: are married, single or in a civil partnership
have children or plan to have children

Could this be on a equal opportunities monitoring form rather than the application?

What job is it OP? I'm shocked! Report them!

I work in the public sector (HE) and our applications do ask this but you don't have to answer it. Also it is only seen by HR and that part of the application is redacted for the interview panel.

Hello all, it's a care work post. I'm not sure it can be counted as the diversity form as it is at the start of the application form. And I can't find the thingy below the text box, not a good day.
Really beginning to feel edged out of Jobs market and this is another way!

Who do I report them to?

It's not correct HR practice. It's against the Equality Act 2010 as someone could use that information to discriminate against you.

If it was for equality and diversity information that was for statistics, not something the hiring manager is privy to, then it's fine. However, that would not be standard practice. The information they tend to ask you for recruitment monitoring is related to gender, age, sexuality, religion, disability - not how many children you have and what ages they are!

I'd email them information email address and clarify if the hiring manager is privy to that particular information.

Wrong to ask but of course if you don't answer then they quite possibly just won't shortlist you anyway (also wrong but what can you do?).

Upon having been offered a job I've been asked that by the HR team, as a confidential disclosure, to make sure they're offering enough support for parents in the workplace.

Never before the job being offered though, and never as part of my main application.

If that information is privy to the line manager when they're shortlisting, then I'd say it's time to get in contact CQC!

Beelzebop, if you're on the mobile site you use the paperclip icon to add photos. Not sure about desktop / app though.

OMG Who do I complain to? So angry! Just spoken to personnel there, and she laughed at me!

Complain to the CQC.

Just spoken to personnel there, and she laughed at me!

Who do they think they are?