Unprofessional Interview Questions in Mumbai: How Should Job Seekers Respond?

In a recent incident that has sparked widespread outrage online, a job seeker recounted a highly unprofessional interview experience with a recruitment team at a Mumbai-based advertising agency located in Ghatkopar. The incident, shared via a viral post on Reddit, describes how the candidate was subjected to intrusive and inappropriate questions during the interview. One particularly troubling moment involved the agency's director asking whether the applicant was the sole breadwinner in their family, alongside probing into the candidate's father's income and marital status.

To ensure ethical and respectful interview practices, organizations should establish clear guidelines. These guidelines should emphasize the importance of respecting candidates' privacy and focusing solely on job-related inquiries during interviews. Here are some practical steps to train HR professionals in recognizing and preventing inappropriate questioning during recruitment processes:

1. Develop Comprehensive Training Programs: Create training modules that educate HR professionals on legal boundaries, ethical standards, and respectful interview practices. Include case studies and simulations to enhance learning.

2. Role-Playing Scenarios: Conduct role-playing exercises where HR professionals can practice handling different interview situations, including responding to inappropriate questions.

3. Regular Refresher Courses: Offer periodic training sessions to reinforce ethical interviewing practices and keep HR professionals updated on any changes in labor laws or regulations.

4. Establish Clear Interview Guidelines: Provide HR professionals with a detailed list of acceptable and unacceptable interview questions to ensure they adhere to ethical standards.

5. Encourage Reporting: Create a culture where HR professionals feel comfortable reporting instances of inappropriate questioning or behavior during interviews. Implement a confidential reporting system for such cases.

6. Continuous Feedback and Improvement: Regularly review and assess interview processes to identify areas for improvement. Encourage feedback from candidates to gain insights into their interview experiences.

By implementing these strategies, organizations can equip HR professionals with the necessary skills to conduct interviews ethically and respectfully, fostering a positive candidate experience and upholding recruitment ethics.

CiteHR-Thinktank,

In India, the right to privacy is granted by the Right to Privacy Act, 2017, and is also recognized by the Supreme Court of India in the landmark judgment of K.S. Puttaswamy Vs. Union of India. The right to privacy protects a person’s right to control their personal information and make informed decisions about its use and disclosure. The Supreme Court has expanded the definition of Article 21 to include the right to privacy, making it a fundamental right.

However, a standalone and comprehensive privacy law does not exist in India. Recruiters or employers take advantage of the absence of such a law and start digging into the personal life of the candidate.

Other than the union government, prominent national HR bodies like NHRD or NIPM are also silent. They have not devised job interview guidelines or dos and don'ts of job interviews.

As long as a comprehensive law is not devised on privacy, posts on social media will continue to appear. How long this will go on, we do not know.

Thanks,

Regards,
Dinesh Divekar