Employers obsessively ask your marital status during a job interview

[musclemania]

Is it common in HK to ask marital (or relationship) status, age in a job interview?
They even ask "how many family members I have (to see how many kids I have)",
"if I have bought a flat in HK"

Even those with renowned global firms do the same.

Does anyone know how I can muzzle them?

[TheBrit]

Ask them why they are asking. When they lie, tell then why you think that isn't relevant.

Most international firms will have diversity policies than prohibit this type of question.

[mrgoodkat]

Tell them you are living with constantly changing same sex partners in a relationship of debauchery and sin. Should shut them right up.

[Golem]

Asking some of these questions is illegal in some countries like Singapore as they are potentially discriminatory and in breach of the Personal Data Protection Act. They certainly appear inappropriate and the employers should be asked why they need to know that. Of course, that won't endear you to the panel if you start lecturing them.

https://hrasiamedia.com/are-you-aski...iew-questions/

[musclemania]

Thanks for replies!
I asked why. They said "out of curiosity" and seemed mad at me after I declined to answer.
And the following question was "do you get along well with people?"

I called around and the labor department & the equal opportunities commission said
"Asking those questions is not unlawful but discriminating against a person on those grounds is."

If you cannot stop them from asking those things, how can you possibly fix their bad behaviors?

[Golem]

You could point out that you are a bit surprised that they would ask these questions as they are are illegal in some countries and generally perceived as inappropriate in this day and age and then ask why it's important to them. This can certainly be alienating but there's not much else you can do besides what you have done. You can't change the laws and culture of a place like HK by yourself. it depends whether you prefer being righteous or having a job. In an ideal world, you get to have both but it's not a perfect world.

The questions could be related to either your compensation package(school and housing allowance) or your ability to put in long hours(family commitments) depending on the job.

[musclemania]

Technology. Its HK HQ and the Asian vendor interviewed me.

[hullexile]

Very little you can do as an individual if you want the job.

I'm wondering what the "right" answer is? Not only is the question irrelevant, potentially discriminatory but also competely useless.

[musclemania]

Package discussed in 1st interview. It was in 2nd interview they threw those questions.
No long hours, no travels needed for this job. This is just a typical 9 to 6 office job.

I am not from HK so they could think I might leave HK any time soon. So, I reiterated that I am a permanent resident here. But they seems to think only "marriage and number of kids" would guarantee commitment from me.

I still cannot believe I had this awful interview in the office of that innovative, world leading tech giant.
My application was withdrawn. I am figuring out with whom I can file a complaint.

[Golem]

Very little you can do as an individual if you want the job.

I'm wondering what the "right" answer is? Not only is the question irrelevant, potentially discriminatory but also competely useless.

It's inappropriate but not useless. It can impact the compensation package if there's a housing and school allowance and also the perception of whether the employee can put in long hours if he has a family and all kinds of other preconceptions based on trying to get to know the candidate.