Marital To Maternal Status: 5 Women Share Weird Questions Asked During Interviews

Often when sitting for an interview, female candidates are categorised into assets and liabilities based on their marital status and whether or not they have children. Companies think if a woman is planning her wedding or a baby, she would ask for paid leaves; therefore, they are not considered suitable for several job roles.

It was 2018 when I applied for a vacancy in a digital marketing company, and the HR first asked me if I was married, I did not know any better and replied politely, “No.” Her second question was, “Are you planning to have kids?”

It was a bit shocking for me because in the Indian context, we hardly think of a woman having a kid out of wedlock. Even celebrities aren't spared. Recently Alia Bhatt was mercilessly trolled for delivering her daughter seven months after her wedding. And even for a bit, if I was planning, how would it have made any difference to my job prospects? It would not have diminished my talent in any way.

I was an amateur and did not know better, so I moved my head from side to side as a gesture of ‘No’.

But even then I could not understand why I was asked those questions. I was merely 23, starting as a fresher and apart from my relatives, now HRs were also interested to know when I was planning to get married and have a baby.

When I talked to other women, I realised, I am not the only one who has been asked weird questions during an interview. Six women tell us about their experience of sexist things human resource departments of various companies have asked them.

Vanshika Jain

During an interview for a digital marketing company, Vanshika Jain was asked, “Where do you put up?” She shared her address, which meant longer commute hours for her.

The HR asked her how she would be able to put up with late working hours. Jain was taken aback and said, “I bet people don’t ask such questions to men.” She was fine with managing her commute issues. Even if the HR (or company) was concerned for the safety of the women employees, they could have added a night cab as a facility.

Shruti Arora*

Shruti Arora* was going to be interviewed for her first job in the media industry. The interviewer asked the person who recommended her if she would be comfortable working there.

Arora further shared that the content published by the company was full of ‘hot pics’ (explicit images of celebrities).

Jyoti

Jyoti says, “Once an interviewer asked me if I was planning on getting married anytime soon.” They wanted to know if her marital status would affect her career adversely.

She told them it was a personal choice and assured them that none of her personal matters would affect her performance if they hire her.

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Srishti Tiwari*

Srishti Tiwari* shared that the interviewer asked her if she had any medical condition. She could not understand why she was asked about it. It could be because of a clause in the health insurance (save on income tax), she thought. However, the tone of the interviewer did not sit well with her.

She was in need of a job so she said no and clarified she had no symptoms of any kind of medical ailment. She found this question a bit strange to come directly from her boss because it is not like she could guarantee she wouldn't fall sick in the future.

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Tanya Malik

Tanya Malik was interviewing for a media agency where she was asked if she was married or not. She clarified it with the person sitting in front of her. However, now she counter-questions people as to how the marital status (questions to ask before getting married) of a woman has anything to do with her capabilities.

She also pointed out how HR would not have asked the same question to a man. It does not matter whether a man is married or has kids, they are judged on the basis of their past work experience and knowledge. “Why can’t the norms be the same for women?” she asks.

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Disclaimer: * means names have been changed on the request of the person.