LITS Staff Responsibilities

Implicit Bias Videos

LITS Staff are required to watch a brief video series on implicit bias, and complete a brief assessment.

 

Do’s and Don’ts

DO:

• Be prepared; review the applicant’s materials.
• Ask questions directly pertaining to the position, LITS, or Hamilton.
• Ask the same questions of each candidate - be consistent.
• Answer questions asked by the candidates in the same way.

DON’T:

• Make assumptions about the applicant based on any of statuses listed below.
  • Ask any question pertaining to the applicant’s race, gender, gender identity, religion, age, marital/family status, sexuality, country of origin, or arrest record. (See chart below for illegal and legal questions.)

    Inquiry Area	Legal Questions	Illegal Questions
    Name	• Have you ever worked under a different name? Is any additional information relative to change of name or use of an assumed name or nickname necessary to enable a check on your work record? If yes, explain. • What name(s) are your work records listed under?	• Inquiries about the name that would seek to elicit information about the candidate’s ancestry or descent (e.g., what nationality is your last name?). • Inquiries about name change due to a court order, marriage, or otherwise. • Maiden name of married women.
    Age	• An employer may ask whether an individual meets the minimum age requirements set by law, e.g. Are you over the age of 18?	• Asking about an applicant’s age, date of birth, or for records to prove their age. • What year did you graduate from high school/college?
    National Origin/Citizenship	• Are you authorized to work in the United States?	• Are you a U.S. citizen? / Do you plan to become a U.S. citizen? • Where were you/your parents born? • What is your “native tongue”?
    Race/Color	• NONE! There are no acceptable questions. • (Voluntary submission of Equal Employment Opportunity [EEO] information may be made directly through HR - search committee will not see individual responses.)	• Any question regarding a person's race/color are deemed illegal under state and federal laws.
    Gender	• NONE - no acceptable question for any LITS position! •(Inquiry or restriction of employment is permissible only when a Bona Fide Occupational Qualification (BFOQ) exists.)	• Applicant’s gender cannot be used as a factor for determining whether an applicant will be “satisfied” in a particular job. • Any inquiry that would indicate gender of applicant.
    Marital/Family Status	• Would you be willing to relocate if necessary? • Would you be able and willing to work overtime as necessary?	• Are you married? Do you have a boyfriend/girlfriend? • With whom do you live? • Do you plan to have a family? • What are your child-care arrangements?
    Pregnancy	• NONE! There are no acceptable questions.	• Any question concerning pregnancy, birth control, or capacity to reproduce. • Advocacy of any form of birth control or family planning.
    Organizations	• Inquiry into applicant’s membership in organizations that the applicant considers relevant to his/her ability to perform the job. (e.g. professional organizations such as ALA or EDUCAUSE)	• Asking what organizations, clubs, and societies the applicant belongs to that are not relevant to his/her ability to perform the job (political, social, religious, etc.) • List all clubs, societies and lodges to which you belong.
    Religion	• NONE! There are no acceptable questions. • After an individual is hired, an employer may inquire about religious accommodations.	• Any question with regard to an applicant's religious beliefs, denomination. • Any questions that indicate religious customs or holidays observed.
    Disabilities / Physical Characteristics	• Are you able to perform the essential job functions? • Can you demonstrate how you would perform the following job-related functions?	• Do you have any disabilities? • Complete a medical history. • How is your family’s health? • Do you need a reasonable accommodation? • How tall are you? • How much do you weigh?
    Language	• Inquiry into languages applicant speaks and writes fluently if needed for the position.	• What is your native language? • Inquiry into how applicant acquired ability to read, write or speak a foreign language.
    Photograph		May not be requested prior to hire.
    Arrest Record	• Have you ever been convicted of -------? (a crime related to job qualifications.) • No applicant will be denied a position because of a conviction for an offense unless there is a direct relationship between the offense and the position, or unless hiring would be an unreasonable risk.	• Have you ever been arrested?
    Driver’s License/Travel	• Do you possess a valid NYS driver’s license? (if necessary to perform duties of the position) • This position requires travel. Are you willing to travel?	• Requirement that an applicant produce a driver’s license. • Since you have children will you have trouble getting the time to travel?
    Military	(If military is listed on application:) • In what branch of the Armed Forces did you serve? • What type of training or education did you receive in the military?	• If you were in the military, were you honorably discharged?