Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Women reveal the sexist questions they’ve been asked at job interviews

Female graduates reveal  the sexist questions they've been asked- from intimate details about periods, to whether they would flirt with customers as part of their job.

Siobhan Fenton
Thursday 28 May 2015 16:59 BST
Comments
'Do you get PMT?'
'Do you get PMT?' (Photo by Thomas Mansfield solicitors)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Female graduates have revealed the sexist questions that they’ve been asked in job interviews as part of a photo series exposing discrimination in the workplace.

Employment law firm Thomas Mansfield asked graduates from 20 British universities to share the most bizarre and offensive things they’ve ever been asked whilst applying for jobs. Many of the women’s responses show that sexism is very much alive some workplaces.

Sexist questions asked of the women include whether they would be willing to flirt with customers as part of the job, if they are planning on having children and intimate details about their periods.

'What do you think about dating someone in the office?'
'What do you think about dating someone in the office?' (Photo by Thomas Mansfield solicitors)

'Are you planning on having children soon?'
'Are you planning on having children soon?' (Photo by Thomas Mansfield solicitors)

'Can you wear more make up next time?' (Photo by Thomas Mansfield solicitors)
'Can you wear more make up next time?' (Photo by Thomas Mansfield solicitors)
'Can you flirt with the customers to make them stay longer?'
'Can you flirt with the customers to make them stay longer?' (Photo by Thomas Mansfield solicitors)

'Do you get PMT?'
'Do you get PMT?' (Photo by Thomas Mansfield solicitors)

Julie Goodway, a lawyer at the firm, told The Independent: "Unfortunately the experience of those surveyed are not one-offs. We are often asked how interviewees should respond to questions like these."

She says that such questioning can amount to sex discrimination if it is unlikely that male candidates will be asked such questions.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in