When filling in applications forms sometimes they ask if im straght/gay/lesbian/bi etc If i say I'm anything other than straght does that give me more, less or the same chance of getting the job and why they they want to know?

I think its none of their business, and it should, if not already, be illegal to ask such things on a job application.

Companies think they are being more equal by asking questions like that and your colour etc. What they are actually doing is filling quoters.

Originally posted by adaline
I think its none of their business, and it should, if not already, be illegal to ask such things on a job application.

They normally ask for statistical purposes, and in theory that section of the form should be detached before the selectors see it. The same when they ask for details of your ethnic background.

In theory it should make no difference. In reality, I don't know.

Originally posted by adaline
I think its none of their business, and it should, if not already, be illegal to ask such things on a job application.

Couldn't agree more. Got nothing to do with anything and shouldn't een be asked.

You would certainly hope it wouldn't make a difference but I guess just the fact that the information is asked for in the first place doesn't bode well.

Originally posted by mandy25
When filling in applications forms sometimes they ask if im straght/gay/lesbian/bi etc If i say I'm anything other than straght does that give me more, less or the same chance of getting the job and why they they want to know?


:huh: I suppose that, to get the best chance, you should put bisexual.

Erm...don't blame me if you don't get the job though

As your sexuality is a private matter, couldn't you just leave the box blank.

I can't think of any jobs (legal ones anyway) that sexuality would even come into it.

From my experience it's typically public sector or large corporates that do this, and it is indeed for statistical purposes.

There's usually also questions on racial / ethnic background, and typically a comment that says that you don't have to answer the questions if you don't want to.

If it's NOT stated in these terms, I believe that it's potentially illegal.

Joe

its definitely illegal in usa u can't even ask their ages in some states.
i always put lesbian on my forms.

I wouldn't employ a homo.

why are you scared they'll fancy you?
:lol:

Originally posted by TimmyR
I wouldn't employ a homo.
and why's that then??

You could never tell what they'd get up to!

Originally posted by willman
why are you scared they'll fancy you?
:lol:

Scared they wouldn't fancy him, more like!

:D

Just ignore me I'm being antagonistic...

Originally posted by TimmyR
Whadya mean? Why would I be scared of them not fancying me?

It's a well known fact (albeit one that I can't be bothered to substantiate) that the people who are most homophobic are the ones who secretly suspect (or know) that they themselves are gay.

well i don't reckon ud be scared if they did...:P

Originally posted by SHsheff
It's a well known fact (albeit one that I can't be bothered to substantiate) that the people who are most homophobic are the ones who secretly suspect (or know) that they themselves are gay.

I'm not homophobic, i just don't like gay people.

Originally posted by TimmyR
I'm not homophobic, i just don't like gay people.

doesn't that say it all !!!

Originally posted by TimmyR
I'm not homophobic, i just don't like gay people.

And the difference is....?

homophobia

noun {U}
a fear or dislike of homosexuals

homophobic

adjective

- a homophobic attitude

Well, as long as they do what they do behind closed doors...

(maybe you should all reread my posts...)

hey TimmyR

Weren't u in Fuel last night?

Originally posted by andee
hey TimmyR

Weren't u in Fuel last night?

not as such no. But I have frequented climax before... :D

Originally posted by TimmyR
Well, as long as they do what they do behind closed doors...

(maybe you should all reread my posts...)

Erm, or maybe we don't feel a need to. I was purely commenting on your comment on this thread, which was a sweeping generalisation encompassing all gay people.

If you'd intended to refer to specific groups or individuals, that's for you to do, and ditto if you feel that the comment is giving the wrong impression of you and/or your views.

ive had frequent c..

got the wrong end of the stick again.

Sorry guys, I couldn't resist a little prod there. I don't stand by anything I've just said, its just these kind of threads always turn into a discussion into the morality of homosexual activities and I thought I'd get a few of the normal comments out of the way...

For the record, I am completely at ease with my sexuality (which I won't disclose) and that of others.

To get back to the thread, I think asking someone about their sexuality on an application form is morally wrong. And also completely irrelevant.

asking that kind of question on an application form would probably just be for statistical or equality purposes as there are now laws to stop gay/lesbian/bi/transgender people being discriminated against in the workplace

[MOD NOTE] Thread to be kept on topic, please, and no further attempts at trolling.

What's trolling?

Originally posted by SHsheff
What's trolling?

trolling = baiting, pretty much

Thought as much from the context, why 'trolling', d'you know?

For anyone who is interested is has been illegal to discriminate against anyone in the workplace since 1st December 2003 on the grounds of sexual orientation.

The Employment Equality (Sexual Orientation) Regulations 2003 can be read here: www.dti.gov.uk/er/equality/soregs.pdf

The regulations cover actual and perceived sexuality of yourself and associates. So in theory a camp yet hetrosexual male who feels they have been discriminated against could use these regulations. It would also apply to someone if their best friend / brother / child etc was gay and they were treated differently because of it. There is no requirement to disclose your sexuality if making any claim as the law specifically covers perceived sexuality so it doesn't matter what your preferences actually are.

The only exclusion is if it is deemed to be a genuine occupational requirement. For example if a job for a counsellor for rape victims at a womens refuge stated specifically the applicant must be female it would not be sex discrimination. However there are very few jobs where this would apply to sexuality - The only role I am aware of that would use this exclusion would perhaps be for religious ministers.

With regards to being asked your sexuality on a job application form. I think they can ask just about whatever they like within reason on monitoring forms as long as they are separated from the application and not viewed or used by the people making the selection. These monitoring forms should state on them that they are for statistical purposes only and answering any questions on them should be entirely optional.

Heather
__________________________________________________
"No woman is worth your tears, and the one who is won't make you cry"

Hi guys just found this thread - is it really true? I've never applied for a job where I have had to state my sexuality on the application form! Imagine if the manager asked you face to face in an interview situation?! 'Oh, im sorry, i doubt this job is for you..' then why would we have applied for it in the first place!?

My sexuality does not in any way hinder my performance at work and wouldn't stop me from doing any job at all, i am actually shocked that this is an issue for so many people and am very glad i came across this thread, cheers for bringing it to my attention, i think its awful!!

Has anyone ever actually been refused a job because of their sexual preference? I'd love to hear about it and what you did about it! How terrible is it when things come to this! Im gay but i dont have lepracy, or a criminal record, or tourettes, or mental history, there is nothing about my personality that would stop me being fantastic in any job - i would be so offended if i saw that question on an application form, and feel bad for anyone who is gay/bi/lesbian/transgender who ever felt awkward having to tick the box wondering if they had just lost themselves the job because of it...:confused:

Originally posted by TimmyR
I wouldn't employ a homo.

Dont know who or what you would employ then....

Ever heard of "HOMO" SAPIENS ? :P

I have never been asked my sexuality in an interview. Although I would be open about it if I was I agree that it has no bearing on my ability to do a job. I have ticked a box on a monitoring form once where I am pleased to say they had the options: Heterosexual, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual or Other. But then I do work with a LGB youth group.

I have lost a job once due to my sexuality - I took my girlfriend on a works night out and was asked to leave the following day as other members of staff apparantly felt uncomfortable working with me. This was pre-2003 so there was no legislation against this.

Heather
"How can I still be thirsty when I had so much to drink last night?"