Preparing Students for Responding To Illegal Selection Interview Questions
The selection interview is a very important communication event for all of us who seek employment because our ability to earn a living is at stake. The recognition that this kind of decision is being made and the uncertainty regarding how the interviewer might evaluate what we say undoubtedly contributes to the stress we feel. Beyond this, the potential is high for being asked to supply information that is not legally usable in the employment decision-making process. Research indicates that we might very well be asked an illegal question and that we are likely to answer the question directly, if asked (Springston & Keyton, 1988; Siegfried & Wood, 1983). Adding further to this problem is the likelihood that the interviewee has not been taught strategies for managing these questions (Siegfried & Wood, 1983; Wilson, in press). The purpose of this article is to demonstrate how strategies for answering illegal interview questions can be taught. First, the nature of the illegal questioning problem is discussed. Then, a plan for teaching strategies for managing illegal questioning is presented.
An Analysis of Instructional Strategies for Responding To Illegal Selection Interview Questions
The selection interview is clearly a very important communication event for every person who is employed or seeks employment. It is one of the few communication events in our life that has the potential for major impact. We are all keenly aware that a decision will be made regarding whether we will be a wage earner and what kind of a wage earner we will be. The recognition that this kind of decision is being made on the basis of what we say and do and the uncertainty regarding how what we say may be received undoubtedly creates high stress for the person involved. A factor that can dramatically increase that stress is the potential for being asked to supply information that is not legally usable in the employment decision-making process. Adding further to this problem is the likelihood that the interviewee has not been taught strategies for managing these questions. The purpose of this article is to systematically analyze instructional strategies for teaching about illegal interviewing. First, the question, &dquo;Is the asking of illegal questions a serious problem?,&dquo; is investigated. Next, criteria are set for instruction regarding answering illegal selection interview questions. Finally, instructional materials presented in college-level textbooks that treat selection interviewing are assessed.
Title VII: The Continuing Challenge of Establishing Fair Employment Practices
The continuing challenge of Title VII is, in a way, a personal theme for both of us. One of us was admitted to the bar shortly before the passage of Title VII,t and during each week of his practice since the effective date of Title VII, July 2, 1965, he has worked on one or more Title VII actions. The other has worked on Title VII cases since 1971. Nevertheless, we do not want to dwell on the particular issues involved in the cases with which we have been associated; rather, we will review the general progress, or lack thereof, during the past two decades, and related developments in Title VII law. Moreover, we will step back and make some observations regarding these twenty years in the history of our country's attempt to deal with the effects of slavery, racial segregation, and discrimination. Finally, we will comment on the debate today regarding Title VII civil rights law and policy generally and examine the important role the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) needs to play in the evolution of Title VII policy.