| AGE | Any question which tends to identify applicants between 40-64 years of age is illegal. EXAMPLE: "Do you remember the 1940 election?" | There is no legal question that can be asked regarding this subject. The SPO may verify age, if necessary, to ensure legally set minimum age limits are met. |
| CITIZENSHIP | Any of the following questions can not be asked: Are you a citizen of the United States? Are your parents/ spouse a US citizen? When did you acquire US citizenship? Are you/spouse/ parent native born or naturalized? | There is no legal question that can be asked regarding this subject. The SPO may verify citizenship requirements, if they exist for the job being filled. |
| NATIONAL ORIGIN | Any of the following questions can not be asked: What is your national origin? What language is spoken in your home? What is your native language? | There is no legal question that can be asked regarding this subject. |
| RACE/COLOR | Any question that directly or indirectly relates to race or color may not be asked. | There is no legal question that can be asked regarding this subject. |
| RELIGION | The following questions can not be asked: What church do you attend? What religious holidays do you observe? | There is no legal question that can be asked regarding this subject. |
| SEX | Any question which inquires as to one’s gender may not be asked. For example: What are your plans regarding having children in the near future? Do you mind having a male/ female supervisor? Can you work with a group of men/ women? | There is no legal question that can be asked regarding this subject. |
| MARITAL STATUS/FAMILY | Any of the following questions can not be asked: Are you married? Divorced? Widowed? With whom do you live? Do your children live with you? What ages are your children? Is your husband/ wife in the military? | There is no legal question that can be asked regarding this subject. The SPO may verify if other family members work at the installation to fulfill OPM requirements. |
| EDUCATION | Questions that specifically ask the nationality, racial, or religious affiliation of a school; the candidates education level in general, if not related to the job being filled, may not be asked. | Questions concerning a candidate’s academic, vocation, or professional education may be asked as long as they pertain to KSAs related to the position being filled. |
| ORGANIZATIONAL AFFILIATION | The following question may not be asked: To what organization, societies and clubs do you belong? | Questions related to this subject may be asked if they are related to the job being filled and how the candidate’s participation in the organization may fulfill the KSAs. |
| POLICE RECORD | Do not ask: Have you ever been arrested? | If the job being filled has special requirements (i.e., bonding), the supervisor may ask a question such as: In order to fill this job, you must be bonded. Is there any problem that this presents? |
| WORK SCHEDULE/ TRAVEL | Do not ask any questions that relate to child care, ages of children or other non job-related areas. | If the job being filled has special requirements (i.e., travel, overtime, unusual hours, etc.) these conditions may be stated. For example: In this job you would have to travel 1 week in every month. Does this present a problem to you? |
| MILITARY DISCHARGE | The following question may not be asked: Were you honorably discharged from military service? | There is no legal question that can be asked regarding this subject. The SPO may verify this information if there is a requirement to do so. |
| ECONOMIC STATUS | The following questions may not be asked: Do you have a good credit rating? Do you have any trouble with bills/collection agencies? | There is no legal question that can be asked regarding this subject. |
| SECURITY CLEARANCE | The following question may not be asked: Do you have a secret/ top secret/ other security clearance? | If the job to be filled requires a certain type of security clearance, this condition may be stated. For example: "This job requires a top secret clearance. Does this requirement present any problem?" |
| PERSONAL PLANS | The following question may not be asked: Do you have plans to live in this area long? | There is no legal question that can be asked regarding this subject. |
| PARTICIPATION IN CERTAIN ACTIVITIES | Do not ask the following questions: Do you plan to take savings bonds/ contribute to the Combined Federal Campaign/ join the coffee club/ join the Professional Association? | There is no legal question that can be asked regarding this subject. |
| MISCELLANEOUS | Questions that are not job related or necessary for determining a candidate’s possession of required KSAs may not be asked. | The candidate may be notified that statements, misstatements or omissions of significant facts may be cause for nonselection. |
RELATED TOPICS: Interviews; Selection Interview; Sample Ranking Interview Worksheet; Inappropriate Interview Questions; Interview Subjects; Uniform Guidelines on Employee Selection Procedures; Merit Promotion Program.
