Are employers allowed to ask about an applicant’s national origin during the hiring process?

In California, employers are not allowed to ask questions about an applicant’s national origin as part of the hiring process. This is because of California’s employment discrimination law, which prohibits discrimination based on national origin. California also has a law that specifically prohibits employers from making inquiries regarding an applicant’s national origin. The law states that employers must evaluate the job applicant on their qualifications and abilities, and not their national origin. This means that employers in California cannot ask about an applicant’s national origin on an employment application, during an interview, or at any other time during the hiring process. Additionally, employers in California cannot make any decisions, such as hiring or not hiring an applicant, based on their national origin. Violating employment discrimination law in California can result in significant legal consequences for employers, so if you are ever asked about your national origin during the hiring process, it is important to report it to the proper authorities. Your local Department of Fair Employment and Housing is one such authority that can investigate and take action against any employer that is found to be violating the law.

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