Equality Commission condemns discriminatory interview questions

The National Commission for the Promotion of Equality (NCPE) has condemned the practice of questions asked in job interviews that discriminate the applicant on the basis of sex, following allegations that the Public Service had asked these questions during an interview for teachers.

The Equality for Men and Women Act (CAP 456) that states that “treating women and men less favourably on the basis of parenthood, family responsibilities or other reasons related to sex” is discriminatory.

The NCPE said the Equality Policy for the Public Service, states that marriage plans or family intentions should not be asked "as they could be construed as showing bias against women and men with family responsibilities.”  

People who feel discriminated against on the grounds of sex or family responsibilities when applying for a job can lodge a complaint with the NCPE, whose Commissioner is tasked with investigating such cases.

On 1 August, the MUT’s president Kevin Bonello said that female applicants sitting for interviews with the Directorate for Educational Services were asked whether they planned to have a baby in the future.

The Office of the Prime Minister condemned such a practice as ‘unacceptable’.

“If this allegation is true, the government will take immediate action,” it said in a statement.