Employers still asking 'inappropriate questions'

A percentage of employers are continuing to ask prospective employees questions that are now considered to be inappropriate, it has been claimed.

Data released by consumer-orientated organisation Which? shows that a number of organisations are continuing to pose questions which, although once thought to be routine, are no longer permitted.

Among the banned questions are those relating to sexual orientation and religious beliefs.

"Long gone are the bad old days when a nervous interviewee had to answer all sorts of questions about their lifestyle and their personal views," said Sue Tumelty, author of the Which? handbook on CVs and interviews.

"It helps to be aware of what you can and cannot be asked, so that you can feel confident in - politely - declining to answer any questions that make you uncomfortable."

It was also found that such questions are being posed, not only during job interviews, but also within application forms.