What you cannot ask applicants

Job applicants have legal rights, even before they become employees. Under federal law, an employer cannot illegally discriminate in its hiring process based on a job applicant's race, national origin, gender, pregnancy status, age, disability, or religion. State and local laws may specify additional protected classes based on factors such as the sexual orientation of a job applicant.

Employers cannot ask about:

• Whether the applicant has children or intends to have children
• Marital status
• Race
• Religion
• Sexual preference
• Age (other than inquiring whether over the age of 18)
• Disability status
• Citizenship status
• Questions concerning drug or alcohol use