Why are job applications now asking your sexual orientation? That feels a step over the line for me.

26 Comments

1. BarbaraAugust 20,2024 at 5:27PM UTC

   WHAT?? Never ever seen this. Seriously?? Eeek.

2. AnonymousAugust 20,2024 at 5:31PM UTC

   I recently lost my job and I've been applying a lot. I would say ever 1 out of 3 are now asking it.

3. AnonymousAugust 20,2024 at 6:09PM UTC

   It may be asked, but you can refuse to answer.

4. AnonymousAugust 20,2024 at 5:36PM UTC

   DEI, LGBTQIA+ folks fall under that heading.

5. AnonymousAugust 20,2024 at 6:15PM UTC

   It's a DEI thing, and I've never seen one that didn't have an option to not disclose/prefer not to answer.

   I agree it's a bit jarring to see on an application. I use the nonanswer one for every EEO/DEI question.

6. AnonymousAugust 20,2024 at 6:53PM UTC

   It seems like discrimination. Employers seem like they are making prejudices on people before they make a decision to meet the possible candidate. I have sent applications online. I restate my sex as a female. Sometimes I check the male box. Males box checked has been more job response than female response.

7. Kristen HillAugust 20,2024 at 8:54PM UTC

   Interesting. Makes me want to do a mini research study on that fact to see if holds water.

8. AnonymousAugust 21,2024 at 5:16PM UTC

   Same. but my name is too female unless just checking male moves you to the top of the list and your name doesn't matter.

9. AnonymousAugust 21,2024 at 2:46PM UTC

   DEI information isn't shown to the hiring manager

10. AnonymousAugust 21,2024 at 1:16PM UTC

    Is it a required field? Is that how it's actually asked or is the question 'how do you identify'. Curious, because how people want to be identified really matters to a lot of humans. How it's asked, matters. If it's optional and you feel you're all set then don't worry about it. If it's required, there's where my possible concern lives.

11. AnonymousAugust 21,2024 at 2:17PM UTC

    Applications have always included a question if Male or Female just as it has ethnicity options... In this crazy day and age, they've basically been forced to provide adfitional options.

12. AnonymousAugust 21,2024 at 3:33PM UTC

    Sex, gender, and sexual orientation are all different things.

    We need to know exactly how this question was worded.

13. AnonymousAugust 21,2024 at 8:47PM UTC

    It asked "sexual orientation" I tried to post a snip but it doesn't seem to allow it.

14. AnonymousAugust 22,2024 at 1:29PM UTC

    I agree - I believe it’s gathering data to prove they are compliant with DE&I. I have been asked in about 25% of my applications recently.

15. AnonymousAugust 21,2024 at 2:20PM UTC

    A step over the line??? More like Major Red Flag! If they're trying to invade your privacy now, what other sorts of inappropriate questions would they ask you in the interview?

    RUN!!!

16. AnonymousAugust 27,2024 at 7:48PM UTC

    I've had that question on multiple application and it has not correlated to inappropriate personal questions in interviews.

17. AnonymousAugust 29,2024 at 12:49AM UTC

    It's an inappropriate question nonetheless. As in, "none of your damn business".

18. AnonymousSeptember 4,2024 at 12:59PM UTC

    Totally agree it's unreasonable on job applications, but it's a DEI thing. I answer with prefer not to answer IF I need to provide an answer at all.

    My point though was that they do not address the DEI questionnaire in interviews.

19. AnonymousAugust 21,2024 at 3:20PM UTC

    What was the actual question? I have never encountered a company asking for my sexual orientation. However, asking your gender identity is normal.

    Gender identity does not mean sexual orientation. I would not work for a company that asked for my sexual orientation, but a gender identity question is normal.

20. AnonymousAugust 21,2024 at 8:45PM UTC

    It asked Sexual Orientation

21. Emily GranholmAugust 22,2024 at 12:39PM UTC

    I’ve come across this on job applications too. It always made me feel like that’s personal information and has nothing to do with the role. I usually just put choose not to answer.

22. AnonymousAugust 21,2024 at 5:17PM UTC

    It may depend on the company. I just do prefer not to answer the whole way to avoid lying or disclosing on the disability section.

    Cis and straight too, and I've not seen an answer to that effect help applications the few times I've tried it.

23. Paulette GerkovichAugust 21,2024 at 8:57PM UTC

    My guess: They're asking to ensure they are interviewing diverse candidates and to make those of all sexual orientations feel included. Just like having gender diversity impacts financial performance so too does having sexual orientation diversity.

24. AnonymousAugust 22,2024 at 3:01PM UTC

    What if we hire the most qualified candidate? No application should ask gender, sexual orientation, or age, etc. Look for the candidate that will be the most beneficial to the company and do the BEST job! Trying to be 'inclusive' means that we hire based on needing to have an X on our staff because we don't have one already - not necessarily the most qualified. Don't hire me because I am a woman over 50, and you don't have enough older women on your team to seem diverse. Hire me because I am the most qualified and will bring the most to the table.

25. Cindy GloverAugust 22,2024 at 3:29PM UTC

    Agreed ?

26. misskelleypAugust 22,2024 at 4:10PM UTC

    What? I would never answer that question. SO completely NOT THEIR BUSINESS.