I just had a job interview yesterday which started off with a benefits overview - and then the first question I was asked was whether I would need the Single plan or the Family plan. I was pretty shocked and put off by that opener and completely lost interest in the company afterwards.

As a mom, I'm totally disgusted and annoyed with this practice. And why can't "big name women" take the time and prove that they aren't worthless? They SHOULD care. Especially Katie Couric who is a mom.

Is that even legal? Here in my home jurisdiction they're not allowed to ask you about marital or family status in a job interview (they can ask about it post-hire for benefits purposes); when I was teaching community college, I was coaching my students to avoid these and other "illegal questions" as well as counselling them how to politely refuse to answer indirect questions that might infringe on proscribed territory.

My understanding, Interrobang, is it's a state-related issue. Some states allow it, others don't.

I *think* it's illegal in Canada, but I'm not sure.

I have been asked some very wrong questions in interviews over the years. Marital status and kids have been asked before. It seems like the lower on the food chain the job the more likely I would be asked this. I was denied a job once for not being married, I was 19. They thought I would be "too wild" and unreliable because I didn't have what they considered the stability of a man and kids to keep me in line. They actually ended the interview right there when they found out I wasn't married.

SD, that illustrates there IS no "right" answer to such a question. What blows is when you have no idea if you will be discarded because you don't have mouths to feed or they see you as, "unstable," or if they just see dependents as an unnecessary expense. Even if you are hired predicated upon the fact that you are single, they may banish you if you actually have a life outside of work and don't want to date the khaki-clad dudes on your floor. Or, points will be deducted if you aren't a good sport about covering for those who have to attend soccer games and make brownies for their kids' parties. YOU CAN'T WIN, PERIOD.

(Actually, scratch that last one...the latest generation of kids seems to be allergic or raised vegan anyway; I'm pretty sure you'd be jailed for sending homemade baked goods to school these days.)

I agree with Jane, there is no way to win in todays corporate culture.

As someone who is attached but has never or will never have children, I didn't realize how constricted corporations are in terms of helping both men and women juggle family life and work life. I think there are a couple of companies out there that allow flexible work schedules with the idea that "as long as the work gets done", but by and large companies make out set work schedules and do not provide benefits such as on site childcare. Also, I do have a greater work load because I do not have children, nor do I plan to. I do not blame the mothers in the company, but the structure of the company, because the majority of people are going to have kids (we're human, we like to reproduce ourselfs) companies need to create a work environment that is conducive to different lifestyles. Alas, this is just a pipe dream.

When I lived in PA, I learned that it is legal for them to ask you those sorts of questions in that state.

Now I live in Dallas, TX and I still get asked those questions although in a more subtle fashion since it is illegal to ask that here.

I just came off a job search during late summer. Various things I was asked during recent interviews:

1. What church do you go to?
2. Who is your pastor?
3. Where does your husband work? (I never, ever mention a husband yet was repeatedly asked that question).
4. Do you smoke cigarettes?
5. Are you married?
6. How many kids do you have (see the subtle racism there? If I was not a minority they would ask if I had kids, BUT because I'm a minority they ask how many I have. THAT's been happening for YEARS)
And a new one I've never encountered before:
7. Which political party are you affiliated with?

I used to be annoyed, now I challenge myself to come up with non-answers that reveal absolutely nothing.