If you are interviewing candidates for the 2021 season, there are some discussion areas you should avoid in the interest of protecting yourself from discrimination claims. Any questions that could help you determine protected characteristics are liabilities.

The law protects a number of personal characteristics, such as:

• Age
• Race
• Sexual orientation
• Gender
• Color
• Religion
• National origin
• Disability
• Genetic information (including health information or family medical history)

While it may be obvious to not ask “how old are you” or “what country are you from,” you should be careful not to ask questions that get close to revealing those protected characteristics. Examples of those questions could be:

• Is English your first language?
• What year did you graduate high school?
• What medications are you taking?

Keep in mind that asking for this information is not allowed on applications, in interviews, or even in reference checks. For more information on anti-discrimination laws, visit the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. 

Read more in this issue of Colorado Green NOW:
National Lawn Care Month addresses climate change
ALCC announces 2021 scholarship recipients
Michael Womochil, key proponent of Landscape Career Pathways, to retire
Two Colorado schools showed their skills at virtual landscape competition