If a job application asks for marital status and children is it compulsory?

[PillockOfTheCommunity]

I've got an application form for a job, next to DOB and Age it has (not compulsory) but then it asks for marital status and children's sex/ages

Can they ask this and do I have to fill it out?

Seems a bit odd to want to know whether I've got boys or girls!

challenge them

i did this with various companies when age discrimination legislation came in over their graduate trainee programmes

i emailed and asked why the drop down dates for graduation disqualified me as i couldnt conplete the form

they changed it very quickly

Good god, I was paranoid it was just me getting these questions when going for jobs!!! I put "not relevant" - if asked I say "prefer not to say - why is it relevant??" - turns it back on them - especially nasty agencies!!
I wasn't quick enough in my last interview and answered their personal questions about kids, ages, childcare arrangements - they wanted to know exactly who looked after them - (why, do you know my mil personally Mr Sexist pig interviewer???!!!), what my dp did/where he worked - totally disgusted with them - and guess what - I didn't get it!! Think it was too early morning and I wanted the job until that point.
I am never answering questions again like that!
I always answer age, although I shouldn't!!! I won't do so next time, just to test them
I am getting to realise that if they are going to discriminate before you work for them - think what they'll do once you are there and depending on the money!!!!
Stuff the lot of them Pillock, and don't fill it in - let them explain why they want that info either before or at interview, and point out it is illegal whenever you can and watch their reaction. If you don't get an interview, ring them up and ask why!!!

Sexonlegs - why on earth do you ask if someone has children at an interview?? Obviously if someone is working/applying for work, they have childcare sorted - and it is completely not relevant to if someone can match the job skills required???
Obviously if you are applying to work with kids, that may be relevant for experience matching - but I am so shocked that this is still happening to loads of women!

i interview as a member of a panel sometimes (the other two are usually men) and it is truly scary how often i have to deflect probing childcare questions from men who should know better (it doesn't always come up, to be fair...). they always get both barrels when the candidate leaves the room. i do sometimes wonder what would happen if i wasn't there. 'well, she's got two young children and i do think it would be particularly difficult for her to do x...' actually, scrathc that, it's not imaginary, i have heard them say it. i've even heard them question whether it is appropriate for a woman with children to want to commute so far from home - and whehter ergo she has problems in her marriage... until i tell them to wind their necks in, obv. the most hilarious thing is the worst culprit is the one who is responsible for equality training and investigating complaints... he's only had two complaints against him, which i find amazing...

These questions are not appropriate, relevant or necessary. However there is nothing saying what is or isn't 'allowed' to be asked. It's just that by asking these questions the employer is making themselves vulnerable to a discrimination claim. But essentially they can ask what they want, it's just not sensible, necessary or good practice.

If you feel otherwise they are probably a good company to work for, I would ring someone in HR and ask about why they need this information.

(FWIW I don't think means that at all georgimama, and certainly not in this instance, ime most smileys are meant genuinely.)

it certainly wasn't meant like that!

I'd never put unless I meant it, and just meant that I was meaning to be argumentative!

was'NT obviously

you'll have to excuse me, I have a headache and my typing goes to pot!