Date of birth question on job application form

olivia

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I am just completing a job applcation form which asks me for my DOB. Is this illegal? What should I do assuming I would like to get the job?
 
Re: Date of birth question on job applcation form

I don't believe it's illegal. You are asked for your DOB on everything now.

I assume it is Ageism you are worried about, because I cannot at the moment, think of any other scenario, why you are afraid to give it to them. So, if there is another reason why you don't want to give it to them, can you elaborate please?
 
I can understand the OP's concern. I have worked in places in the past, where CV's have been discarded because of a person's age. I have also worked in places where women of a certain age would not be considered due to the fact that they might be thinking of having children. These people haven't even reached interview stage.

I believe that it's a question you are not allowed to ask in interview as long as it has no bearing on the job, so why should it be any different in application forms?
 
I belive it may be illegal as it contravenes employment equality legislation - it is the same as asking nationality.
 
I belive it may be illegal as it contravenes employment equality legislation - it is the same as asking nationality.
Any chance you could cite/link to some info supporting this claim? I can't see anything obvious here:

www.citizensinformation.ie
[broken link removed]
www.equality.ie

Discrimination based on age, nationality etc. is one thing. Asking questions about these is another as far as I know.

Also at least some age discrimination is allowed...
Exclusions from the general prohibition of discrimination on age grounds

An employer may:
  • set a minimum age requirement (not more than 18 years) for potential applicants for a job.
  • offer a fixed-term contract to a person over the compulsory retirement age.
There are also exemptions inserted into Section 34 by Section 23 of the 2004 Act. With regard to an an occupational benefits scheme, it does not constitute discrimination on age grounds for an employer:
  • to fix ages for admission to such a scheme or for entitlement to benefits under it;
  • to fix different ages for all employees or a category of employees;
  • to use, in the context of such a scheme, age criteria in actuarial calculations, or
  • to provide different rates of severance payment for different employees or groups or categories of employees, these rates being based on or taking into account the period between the age of an employee on leaving the employment and his or her compulsory retirement age,
provided that these measures do not constitute discrimination on the gender grounds.
 
I suppose he's referring to the Employment Equality Act. It is illegal if it can be proved that an employer is using it for shortlisting purposes for example. If a claim is made by an individual the employer must prove that discrimination did not occur.

There is nothing in the legislation to say that it cannot be asked on an application form but it is not considered 'best practice'.
 
I suppose he's referring to the Employment Equality Act. It is illegal if it can be proved that an employer is using it for shortlisting purposes for example. If a claim is made by an individual the employer must prove that discrimination did not occur.
How does one prove a negative!!?!? :confused:
 
I suppose he's referring to the Employment Equality Act. It is illegal if it can be proved that an employer is using it for shortlisting purposes for example. If a claim is made by an individual the employer must prove that discrimination did not occur.

I agree. The employer is leaving him/herself a bit exposed here.

If a person didn't get a job, they could argue that it was on age grounds. While this might seem spurious, similar cases have been taken successfully in the past.

If the age of an applicant isn't an issue, then it shouldn't be sought. If it is an issue, it's reasonable to ask why.
 
It is not illegal to ask for someone's DOB on an application form - it is illegal to discriminate against them on the basis of the information provided.

In certain circumstances it may be absolutely necessary to establish someone's age - for example to ensure that there is no contravention of the protection of Young Persons (Employment) Act 1996.

In general, it would not conform with best practice for the DOB to be requested upon application. Bar the situation outlined above, it is difficult to justify - and, particularly, it would be difficult for an employer to establish that it was required information in the context of defending an age discrimination claim.

Thus, whilst it is not illegal, it is also not advisable.

Olivia, I would recommend that you fill it in honestly. If you feel there is any suggestion that you subsequently miss out on the job due to your age, you might consider bringing an age discrimination claim under the Employment Equality Acts- for which you may be awarded a maximum of 12,700Euro (as you are not an employee).
 
On the civil service application forms, you are asked all sorts of questions that could be construed as discriminatory if you were looking for it (and did not get an interview). Age, race, ethnicity, even sexuality!
 
Was wondering this myself recently as an application form asked you for your age. I know it's easy enough to infer roughly what age you are (from dates of exams, length of time working, etc) but to blatently ask for your age I thought a bit odd personally. Also most application forms I've ever seen always tend to ask your nationality also.
 
Nationally can be asked as you are obliged to source EEA candiates before non-EEA.

Clubman - I don't understand your question..
 
I agree. The employer is leaving him/herself a bit exposed here.

If a person didn't get a job, they could argue that it was on age grounds. While this might seem spurious, similar cases have been taken successfully in the past..

By that logic, if they asked whether you're male or female, they'd be leaving themselves open......
 
I am just completing a job applcation form which asks me for my DOB. Is this illegal?

I don't have anything to add to the answers already given, particularly the good answer from Niall P

What should I do assuming I would like to get the job?

You have two options. The 'keep your head down' option would suggest that you fill in the DOB and say nowt.

However, that's not the only option. Certain organisations and/or individuals may genuinely appreciate getting advice which points out their potential exposure. It could well be that the only reason for having the DOB on the form is 'because we've always done it that way'. You could try politely summarising the advice given on the thread in a cover letter with your application. It's a high-risk option, but depending on the corporate culture and the individual concerned, it just might work. It will certainly ensure that your application stands out from the crowd.

Do you believe that age discrimination is a real possibility in this case?
 
By that logic, if they asked whether you're male or female, they'd be leaving themselves open......


Yes, wide open. There are very few jobs that are gender specific so unless you're advertising one, there's no reason to ask.

I heard of a case where an obviously pregnant woman presented for interview. The interviewer, whom she knew, congratulated her. The woman didn't get the job but subsequently took a successful equality case on the grounds that as her pregnancy was commented on at the interview, she was effectively discriminated against on grounds of gender.
 
Yes, wide open. There are very few jobs that are gender specific so unless you're advertising one, there's no reason to ask.

I heard of a case where an obviously pregnant woman presented for interview. The interviewer, whom she knew, congratulated her. The woman didn't get the job but subsequently took a successful equality case on the grounds that as her pregnancy was commented on at the interview, she was effectively discriminated against on grounds of gender.

That sounds like a serious case of the world gone mad...two people present for a job. One will be available to do the job, the other will not as she'll be on maternity leave but a potential employer can't make a decision based on these facts?
 
The point is that the pregnancy was commented upon at the interview and so became part of the process through which the selection was made. It introduced the possibility of bias.

Had the pregnancy not been referred to, it would have been difficult to contend that it in any way had an impact on the interviewer's ultimate decision.
 
I done some interviewing in my time. I dont think its illegal to ask DOB on forms. However, frequently the photocopies of CV/forms given to those conducting the interviews to have the DOB blacked out so as to guard against ageism claims. I'm not sure how effective this is though, as age can usually be determined by looking at education & work history e.g. person probably did leaving cert between ages of 17 & 19.
 
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