Final answer:
It is illegal for an employer to ask about marital status, children, ethnic background, or child-care needs. Legally protected characteristics cannot be used to determine eligibility for a position. If asked these questions, politely question why they need the information and contact the EEOC if necessary.
Step-by-step explanation:
Subject: Law
Grade: High School
It is illegal for an employer to ask you out, ask about marital status, ask if you have children, inquire about your ethnic background or country of origin, inquire about your child-care needs, among others. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 protects job applicants from employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, and age. These legally protected characteristics cannot be used to determine eligibility for a position.
If you are asked one of these questions in an interview, do not answer it. Instead, politely question why they need that information and, if comfortable, remind the interviewer that those are legally protected characteristics. It is perfectly acceptable to state, "I do not feel comfortable answering that question" when asked a protected question.
If you feel like you have been discriminated against in the hiring process, please contact the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).