General Discussion

jade3000

(238 posts)

47. Bad question ... and a bad environment

Mon May 28, 2012, 09:45 PM

May 2012

I agree, the question is inappropriate. The larger problem is why do you have a group of all men in the first place? It seems like there needs to be some reflection and then improved recruiting and/or retention.

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Is asking a female interviewee, "How would you feel about working in a group of all men" acceptable? [View all] Godhumor May 2012 OP

She's interviewing to be the manager of a group of all men? lumberjack_jeff May 2012 #1

"How would you feel about working in a group of all men" Herlong May 2012 #2

I worked in recruiting office of all GIs and I loved it. Don't get me wrong they were respectful southernyankeebelle May 2012 #28

I don't know the law, but I would feel uncomfortable asking that question. ZombieHorde May 2012 #3

The litmus test I was taught is if there is a problem asking the question about one group... Godhumor May 2012 #5

That is an excellent point, in my opinion. ZombieHorde May 2012 #6

Bingo, thread winner. Scuba May 2012 #36

Wording it differently DearAbby May 2012 #4

"working in" and "managing" are two different things. lumberjack_jeff May 2012 #11

Correct. He wanted to make sure "She could handle the guys" n/t Godhumor May 2012 #12

Kaching... no HR mgr would ever let this one pass. procon May 2012 #35

Do they ask the male aplicants this question too? surrealAmerican May 2012 #7

I believe he wanted to let her know about the environment Godhumor May 2012 #9

I would think it depends on if it's a hypothetical or not Scootaloo May 2012 #8

Not hypothetical, would be 8 make direct reports n/t Godhumor May 2012 #13

I think it is wrong. jp11 May 2012 #10

Why not just inform the interviewee that the Ilsa May 2012 #14

I like Ilsa's suggestion dballance May 2012 #19

If they are seriously considering her why wouldn't they have her come in and meet the men she CTyankee May 2012 #22

like your suggestion, will bring it up at the next recruiting meeting Godhumor May 2012 #24

If they're seriously considering her, she likely has experience working in a predominantly gkhouston May 2012 #37

Actually, that was pretty much her answer Godhumor May 2012 #39

I wouldn't ask the question Broderick May 2012 #15

That's a ridiculous/stupid question. shcrane71 May 2012 #16

I agree, which is why I confronted him on the point. n/t Godhumor May 2012 #18

Thank you. I'm sure that will give the guy pause prior to using that question again. nt shcrane71 May 2012 #40

"No problem. Have you had problems with that group of men not accepting women managers before?" Lars39 May 2012 #17

He handled it poorly. You let the interviewee meet the group and then ask... aikoaiko May 2012 #20

Would he ask the same question of a man? LiberalAndProud May 2012 #21

If he was interviewing to manage a group of all women, I think it's a fair question. lumberjack_jeff May 2012 #27

What different management skills are required in an all women, all men or mixed group environment? LiberalAndProud May 2012 #30

The difference is a cultural construct. shcrane71 May 2012 #41

Yes, I believe you're right. LiberalAndProud May 2012 #44

In my experience, silence generally indicates an indefensible position. shcrane71 May 2012 #45

Hell no. My personal experience with age discrimination: was interviewing coalition_unwilling May 2012 #23

i would absolutely, NEVER ask that question. it's begging for a lawsuit. unblock May 2012 #25

It sounds like a subtle way of discouraging females & keeping the place all male. qb May 2012 #26

What kind of workplace is this? lumberjack_jeff May 2012 #29

This is a business analysis group. People would be analysts Godhumor May 2012 #32

I was asked more or less the exact opposite... Sen. Walter Sobchak May 2012 #31

Wow, that's grossly inappropriate, on so many levels. n/t gkhouston May 2012 #38

That is f-ing AWFUL. BlueIris May 2012 #43

Why did he ask the question? ctaylors6 May 2012 #33

It's sending a message to the woman that she better stomach what men might say... cynatnite May 2012 #34

If someone asked me that question, I would wonder. wildeyed May 2012 #42

Not okay, because it implies a horribly sexist hiring procedure... WriteWrong May 2012 #46

Bad question ... and a bad environment jade3000 May 2012 #47

The moment the interviewer doesn't see a woman, but a qualified individual is the day FourScore May 2012 #48

I've been asked a similar question more than once. wickerwoman May 2012 #49