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Legal application questions
Is it legal to ask an applicant if they are related to anyone currently employed with the company
Asked on March 24, 2017 under Employment Labor Law, Illinois
Answers:
M.D., Member, California and New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 7 years ago | Contributor
This is an allowable question. In fact, many companies have rules against people who are related from working together. In an "at will" employment relationship, a company can set the conditions of employment much as it sees fit, unless doing so would violate the terms of an employment contract or union agreement. That having been said, an employer cannot engage in any form of legally actionable discrimination (i.e. things based on your religion, age, disability, etc.). So for example, in an interview you cannot be asked what church you attend, when did you graduate, what you are sseig a doctor for, etc.
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