This article was submitted by a member of the HaitchR community Rabia Mirza

An accredited Leadership Coach and an HR Consultant. With almost 20 years of experience in leadership development, coaching, and human resources management in Ireland, Canada, and the US, I work with executives, directors, and managers in a wide variety of industries including industrial manufacturing, logistics, warehousing, and supply chain management. I am an Emotional Intelligence Practitioner.

The 3 Ws! “What, Where & WRC”

What questions can you ask at an interview?

“What a lovely & unusual name? Where are you from?”

This type of question could land you at the WRC (workplace relations commission)!

Have you ever innocently asked this question at an interview, be it an in-person interview, a video interview or a phone interview? Were you curious to know where the interviewee was from? Were you just trying to be friendly or build rapport? Did you know someone else with the same or similar name and curiosity got the best of you?

Well, you know what they say, curiosity killed the cat! Okay, that is a bit extreme for this content, I know! On a serious note, this type of harmless question could have you and your organization at the WRC. In fact, this is exactly what happened recently in Dublin. At a recent WRC hearing, a woman was awarded €1500 for being asked this type of question at her interview. She did not get the job. She felt that she was discriminated against due to her race and religion and that is why she did not get the job. Subsequently, she decided to bring a case to the WRC. She was awarded €1500. You can obtain more information about this case by clicking this link https://www.rte.ie/news/business/2022/0616/1305307-1-500-compensation-for-woman-asked-about-nationality/

Do you or your hiring managers or interviewers know what questions can be asked during an interview, even the ones that may seem harmless (for example “Do you drive to work?” “Can you work in Ireland?”). Do you know the legal parameters and the dos and don’ts of interview questions? Do you know what should or should not be in a job posting? Is there anything in your job posting that could be considered discriminatory (for example “must have excellent verbal and communication skills”)?

Rabia can help you! She can be hired as a freelance HR consultant on the HR marketplace.

I am an accredited and certified HR Consultant and trainer. I have almost 20 years experience of working as a HR Professional in Ireland, Canada, and the US. I help organizations mitigate risk, reduce liability, create more efficient recruitment practices and help prevent them from ending up at the WRC. I deliver group and individual training workshops in this area. I make it fun! If you would like to learn more about how I can help you and your organization mitigate risk, reduce liability, create more efficient recruitment practices and help prevent WRC attendance, then let’s talk.

Get in touch if you would like to discuss training for interviewers at your organization. No strings attached! Book a call or zoom consultation through my website below.

You can connect with Rabia on the HaitchR Marketplace click here