I’m pretty sure I was asking an illegal interview question by the operations manager of a small security company, who’s also foreign.

SANDRA MICHELSEN

October 10,2022 at 1:09AM UTC

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I’m pretty sure I was asking an illegal interview question by the operations manager of a small security company, who’s also foreign.

He prefaced the question by saying, “some people might think this question is too personal but…do you have any children or family here? I want to know if you’ll be missing a lot of days or taking a lot of vacations.”

I mean what the actual bleep?! Their time off is only 5 vacation + 2 sick.

Another interview question was how well do I handle tense situations? When I asked to describe what kind of situation, it was tense inter-office relations.

I’ve been without work for over a month and needing to start working asap and they definitely liked me more than I liked them. Feeling uneasy.

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AnonymousOctober 10,2022 at 1:15AM UTC
That happened to me. I took the job and lasted 3 months. I couldn’t stand the arrogant asshole. I knew I could never thrive there. I could have gotten him fired at the exit interview but I chose to take the high road.
AnonymousOctober 10,2022 at 2:04AM UTC
Trust your gut.
Crystal HowellOctober 10,2022 at 12:36PM UTC
Different culture, remind them they are in America. Move on............
SANDRA MICHELSENOctober 10,2022 at 12:56PM UTC
The ops mgr isn’t new to the US and the other 2 panelists are native and didn’t blink an eye.
AnonymousOctober 10,2022 at 12:58PM UTC
Are you willing to accept and continue looking so that you have a steady income coming in? Then look for a better fit for you? I have an example that I am going through right now: accepted a position that had some minor red flags. Since I have been here I have uncovered some larger red flags that I am working to fix, all while searching for that position that will fit my needs better.
KathyOctober 10,2022 at 2:23PM UTC
It is an illegal interview question. If you are able, please look for something else.
Lesa Edwards, Career Coach & Master Resume WriterOctober 10,2022 at 4:36PM UTC
I'm more concerned about the 2 sick days per year only 5 vacation days. For most people, this wouldn't be acceptable.
SANDRA MICHELSENOctober 10,2022 at 7:58PM UTC
Nope it’s definitely concerning. And coming right out and basically saying 5 days is too much.
AnonymousOctober 11,2022 at 3:35AM UTC
def Don’t take the job.
AnonymousOctober 11,2022 at 12:33PM UTC
If that's all the time off the company is offering I wouldn't have even given them my time for an interview. First question, yeah...no good. Second question you mentioned I see no issue with. For one of the positions we have been interviewing for, we have asked similar given what we are aware of with the environment in that office.
AnonymousOctober 11,2022 at 1:48PM UTC
So, you get 7 days to live your life and he's already telling you it's too much?
Don't walk away. RUN! Questions on children, family and marital status are illegal. It's still an employee's market and you can do better. You deserve better!
Shelly EdwardsOctober 11,2022 at 1:57PM UTC
Yes, that is a wildly inappropriate question to ask in an interview. Red flag of a boss who does not value work life balance. I'd really be second guessing this job.
AnonymousOctober 11,2022 at 2:57PM UTC
I’d be temped to reply that I would not be taking any unpaid leave. As for tense situations, that may be a fair question. The follow up question back would be to ask for examples. I took a job knowing that one of the people I would be reporting to has a terrible reputation of being blunt, objectionable and lots of other words. I wasn’t worried about that, I’d worked with those people before.
Joanne RosenOctober 11,2022 at 6:59PM UTC
Wow! Yup, illegal and definitely a place you don't want to work.
RUN AWAY!
AnonymousOctober 11,2022 at 11:12PM UTC
OK. It seems like a no-brainer, but follow your instincts, don’t ignore those small, InnerVoices, like Oprah in the old days used to say, until it falls on your head like a big anvil! So, you know the answer. ?