Both state and federal law regular what an employer may or may not do during the hiring process, including obtaining consumer reports. Before beginning the hiring process, an employer should put together a set of requirements and standards for the job. An employer can use these requirements to compare applicants to decide who is to be given an offer of employment. The employer can match the skill, experience and background of each applicant with the requirements and standards set for the job position. This helps an employer eliminate discriminatory and prohibited practices from being used in reaching a hiring decision.

Safe questions can relate to the applicant’s name, present address, telephone number, present employment, former employment, and job references. Some of the "problem areas" identified in previous questions are still proper subjects of questions as long as the relatedness requirement is met. It is important to remember that questions that cannot be asked on the application for employment are also unacceptable questions during the job interview.

(Reviewed 9-08)