When asked about your faith prior to job consideration…

17 Comments

1. AnonymousMarch 16,2024 at 1:11AM UTC

   I think that places of worship and affiliated are exempt from certain laws (separation of church and state).

   Google to see.

   Legal or not, if you feel uncomfortable with personal questions like this, I'd decline any opportunity to move forward. At the end of the day, your life is yours to care for.

2. AnonymousMarch 16,2024 at 2:13AM UTC

   I think since alignment in that environment is really crucial, I would say yes but you can check with an attorney to confirm m

3. Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition SpecialistMarch 16,2024 at 5:30AM UTC

   Faith-based organizations can legally discriminate. It sucks but it's legal.

4. AnonymousMarch 16,2024 at 1:10PM UTC

   Yep! A temp agency sent me to one once to interview and horrible. Woman told me straight to my face: no wedding band, no job because I was a single mom.

   I had no criminal record or any of that. My lifestyle was the corruption. Oh well, I'd HATE to work for a supervisor like that.

5. Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition SpecialistMarch 16,2024 at 11:15PM UTC

   Agreed. I turned down a consulting assignment once because of this - I am against all forms of discrimination - legal or otherwise.

6. AnonymousMarch 16,2024 at 1:12PM UTC

   Towards the comment:

   "I think since alignment in that environment is really crucial, I would say yes but you can check with an attorney to confirm"

   My insight:
   If you have to check with an attorney PRIOR to applying, let alone acceptance of an offer- sounds like trouble on the horizon. Tread lightly. JMO.

7. AnonymousMarch 16,2024 at 1:48PM UTC

   Unfortunately, if the organization is incorporated as a religious or church non-profit, they are exempt from the prohibition of these questions on an application. Even though I am ordained as a pastor, most of these faith statements do not align with my theology. I was looking for a position as the Executive Director of our local Catholic Charities, and one of their requirements was to be a "practicing Catholic and attend services regularly at a local [Catholic] church." Although I met most other requirements, this one would have disqualified me, and even if it didn't, I wouldn't want to work there because it would have always been a "mark" on my qualifications. Places that ask for the "statement of faith" are looking for lemmings. I would say pass and don't feel bad about it.

8. AnonymousMarch 17,2024 at 2:00AM UTC

   Yes, they are faith based and it is critical their faith beliefs are aligned.

9. KathrynMarch 17,2024 at 3:47PM UTC

   i got asked the same question. I sued got 100K. Even faith based can't go that far.

10. AnonymousMarch 17,2024 at 3:51PM UTC

    It all depends on how they are incorporated and their non/for-profit status. Non-profits incorporated as religious organizations or churches are allowed to ask.

11. Patty BeckMarch 17,2024 at 4:28PM UTC

    You said the job is with a faith based organization. Are they a not for profit organization? If so, they can ask this question and it would be understandable.

12. AnonymousMarch 17,2024 at 9:51PM UTC

    OP here - the organization is a faith-based for -profit law firm, and defends faith-based organizations (i.e. churches, religious orgs, etc).

13. AnonymousMarch 18,2024 at 1:01PM UTC

    Most faith-based are Not-For-Profit and yes they can.

14. Cam DunsonMarch 18,2024 at 1:31PM UTC

    Yes, for faith-based organisations. you can probably find their statement of faith on their website. If you don’t fully agree with it, you likely will hate working there.

15. Debra BishopMarch 18,2024 at 4:28PM UTC

    Yes, it is 100% legal for faith-based organizations. Your recruiter should have shared this with you before submission since it is most always a condition of employment.

16. AnonymousMarch 19,2024 at 3:06PM UTC

    No disrespect to the Catholic church (as a whole) intended. This particular DIocese not respecting other denominations or religions as "worthy" of their premier charity speaks a lot about how they consider "outsiders" and does not align with my theology, so it is not a place I would feel comfortable working. I did not apply because of that, and if the OP feels uncomfortable about the faith statement or even having to disclose their faith statement, then she would be better off passing on the opportunity as well.

17. AnonymousMarch 22,2024 at 4:04PM UTC

    It is illegal. They are likely using the 3rd party to indemnify themselves from being sued for religious bias. Whether for or not for profit they cannot discriminate.

    As defined under Title VII, religion includes religious beliefs, practices, and observances.