Employers should avoid asking questions or seeking information about the sexual orientation of job applicants, recommends the Human Rights Commission in a pre-employment guideline booklet released this week. Getting a Job: A new guide "Things can go wrong when those applying for jobs believe they've been discriminated against because, for example, of their gender, sexual orientation, race, religion or disability," explains Equal Employment Opportunities Commissioner Dr Judy McGregor. "There are questions no one should have to answer in a job interview because they risk breaching the Human Rights Act." It is also illegal to discriminate against transgender or HIV positive people during job candidate selection, notes the Commission. The booklet, called Getting a Job, aims to guide employers and applicants through the employment process, using plain-language guidelines to give information which can ensure everyone is treated fairly. However, the Commission notes exceptions where a person's sexual orientation can legally become a factor in recruitment for certain roles, including finding a counselor to deal with highly personal matters, the ordination of clergy, and domestic employment in a private household – for example employing a nanny. The full Human Rights Commission guide to getting a job can be downloaded from the link below.
Credit: GayNZ.com News Staff
First published: Wednesday, 6th August 2008 - 10:57am