Are employers allowed to ask job applicants questions about their gender identity?

No, employers in Washington are not allowed to ask job applicants questions about their gender identity. This is prohibited under Washington’s employment discrimination law. The Washington Law Against Discrimination (WLAD) was established to prevent employers from treating individuals unfairly based on a protected class, which includes gender identity. Under the WLAD, questions related to gender identity are considered discriminatory. This means employers cannot ask questions about gender identity when interviewing potential job applicants or when making decisions about hiring, firing or job promotions. Additionally, employers cannot use gender identity to make decisions about job assignment, resources, or benefits. Employers who violate the WLAD and ask questions about gender identity during the hiring process can face legal consequences. Applicants who experience such discrimination are entitled to contact legal authorities and file a discrimination complaint. In Washington, employers must evaluate job applicants on their qualifications and ability to do the job, not on gender identity or any other protected class. Therefore, it is illegal for employers to ask job applicants questions about their gender identity.

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Are employers allowed to ask job applicants questions about their gender identity?

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