Despite social reforms dismantling boss-employee power dynamics, inappropriate behavior and uncomfortable situations still occur in the workplace. For example, your relationship status, religious beliefs, and sexual orientation are none of your boss’s business. But so are your political beliefs, pregnancy status, and union membership. Here are 15 things that are illegal for your boss to ask you. Knowing your employee rights is key to protecting yourself against scumbag bosses.
Your Age
Asking someone about their age is generally a social faux pas. However, your boss asking about an employee’s age is not just a faux pas—it’s illegal. Under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, employees are protected from employer discrimination based on age. Your boss could treat you differently if given the opportunity. Knowing your rights can prevent such discrimination.
Your Marital Status
If your boss asks you about your marital status, it’s not just an invitation to discriminate; it’s a breach of your privacy. The stereotype that married employees will not be as productive as unmarried employees is often applied to women. However, you have the right to keep this information private, especially if you believe it will lead to discrimination. Remind your boss that this is private information you don’t feel comfortable sharing.
Your Pregnancy Status
Employees and potential employees do not have to disclose their pregnancy status. Your boss or hiring manager may believe you won’t have enough time to dedicate to work. Unfortunately, this sexist tactic has prevented many women from getting jobs. Thanks to several employment laws, women are protected against discrimination. Don’t let them ask you about your pregnancy status. It’s none of their business.
Your Religion
Your religion and religious practices should be only between you and your God, not your boss. They have no right to ask you about your religious beliefs. This sets up grounds for discrimination and could prevent you from advancing your career. If they ask you, simply tell them that it is private information and you don’t feel comfortable with them having access to it. Your religion is not an indicator of your dedication to your work. Remember, your privacy is important.
Your Romantic Orientation
It’s inappropriate to inquire about someone’s romantic orientation outside of the workplace, and it’s illegal for a boss to ask because it could lead to discrimination. If you disclose this information, your boss might treat you differently, and you could be denied the same opportunities as other employees. Discrimination laws are in place to protect you. Besides, your boss doesn’t need to know about your personal attraction preferences—it should not affect your ability to complete your tasks.
Your Health or Disabilities
If your boss or future employer asks if you have any disabilities, remember you have the right to refuse to answer. This is not just a rude question; it violates employee discrimination laws. You don’t have to disclose that information, especially because it could lead to mistreatment. A boss could treat someone differently based on their disability status. But remember, you have the power to refuse to answer, and they risk hefty fines or jail time for discrimination.
Your Race or Ethnicity
Revealing your race and ethnicity can affect your hiring opportunities. An interviewer cannot ask about these details because it violates employee discrimination laws. Even if you are treated well, disclosing your race and ethnicity could lead employers to mistreat you. You do not need to answer that question. If anything, it puts the employer in the hot seat for infringing upon employee labor laws. Don’t let them ask you this question.
Your Political Beliefs
Whether you vote Republican, Democrat, or Independent, your political beliefs should be private. Your boss shouldn’t ask you which political party you affiliate with. They could either mistreat you or show favoritism. This form of discrimination in the workplace is unfair to you and to other employees. Know that you don’t have to share this information with your boss. Your political views should not dictate how well you perform your duties.
Your Family Status
An employer doesn’t have a right to know your family status. That information is irrelevant to your qualifications and requirements for the job. Besides, many people have families and manage their work lives just fine. Some employers may mistakenly believe that an employee with a family will be less productive. People separate their work and home life, and although you might not mention this to a boss, remember that your home life should take priority.
Your Genetic Information
There is no reason your boss should ask for your genetic information. No work scenario requires it. Your boss shouldn’t be asking employees to share this information as it is irrelevant to your duties. The only reason a boss would ask for your genetic information is if they were an evil mastermind with plans to clone you. Jokes aside, disclosing this information could change how they treat you as an employee. Don’t let your boss make this invasive request.
Your Citizenship or Immigration Status (Before Hiring)
Are you interviewing for a new job? Your interviewer cannot ask about your citizenship or immigration status. Discussing this during hiring could lead to discrimination, even though such questions might sometimes appear on applications. Asking about your citizenship or immigration status is legal if it pertains to an employee’s ability to do their job, but if the intent is to discriminate, it is illegal. It’s a tricky topic—handle it with ease.
Your Credit History
Asking employees about their credit history can lead to workplace discrimination and unfair hiring practices. Some hiring managers might turn away workers based on their financial status. No employer should base hiring decisions on someone’s credit history, which does not pertain to the job. You have a right to financial privacy. Don’t let them mistreat you.
Your Union Membership
According to the National Labor Relations Act, employees can assemble, join, and affiliate with labor unions without the risk of retaliation or discrimination. If your boss asks about your union membership, they are putting themselves in legal trouble. Unions aim to achieve higher pay and better working conditions for their members, and they often put pressure on management to allocate resources appropriately. If they ask the question, don’t answer—you don’t have to.
Your Intimate History or Relationships
Employees have the right to privacy regarding personal matters such as their intimate history or relationships. Your answer doesn’t affect your ability to do your job, so your boss doesn’t need to require this information. Don’t let your boss intrude where they don’t belong. Not only could your responses lead your employer to treat you unfairly, but they also risk crossing into harassment. Keep this information private—nobody else needs to know.
Your Social Media Passwords
An employer asking for your social media passwords is an enormous invasion of privacy. Your accounts are private and do not affect how you do your job. Employers might have specific clauses in their contracts that limit what company information you can share and may even terminate you in case of an infraction. Unless you are under a serious investigation, you don’t have to share your social media passwords with your boss. Don’t put yourself in a position that could harm you or your reputation.
