Can I legally ask a nanny candidate if she has children?

[Anonymous]

It’s information I would really like to have in making a decision to hire.

[Anonymous]

No. Just get to know her better.

[Anonymous]

I don't think so. You can ask if she has any family commitments that might make it difficult for her to fulfill the hours you need. Or ask about her childcare experience. Either one of those questions should elicit a declaration of whether she has kids.

[Anonymous]

It seems like parenting experience would be directly relevant to the job, no? Wouldn't that carve out a legal exception in hiring?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It seems like parenting experience would be directly relevant to the job, no? Wouldn't that carve out a legal exception in hiring?

You don’t need to be a parent to have the same level of experience.

I direct questions can elicit the needed answers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It’s information I would really like to have in making a decision to hire.

Why?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s information I would really like to have in making a decision to hire.

Why?

My guess they don’t want to hire a mom.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s information I would really like to have in making a decision to hire.

Why?

My guess they don’t want to hire a mom.

Is this correct, OP?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s information I would really like to have in making a decision to hire.

Why?

Usually because they want someone who can stay late, work more hours, or come in as needed and they don't want the nanny missing days because her own kids are sick or have needs..

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s information I would really like to have in making a decision to hire.

Why?

Usually because they want someone who can stay late, work more hours, or come in as needed and they don't want the nanny missing days because her own kids are sick or have needs..

Well, we all want a reliable nanny, but being a mother or not being a mother doesn't make one's nanny reliable. My nanny is a mother (children are older) and in 6 years, has never missed a day because her own children are sick, and is typically flexible to work more hours.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It seems like parenting experience would be directly relevant to the job, no? Wouldn't that carve out a legal exception in hiring?

You don’t need to be a parent to have the same level of experience.

I direct questions can elicit the needed answers.

Being a parent is very different experience than a nanny. I've done both. Its very different when you are not on 24/7 and have to do everything.

[Anonymous]

You can legally ask a candidate anything. However, in some jurisdictions (like DC, not sure about MD or VA) family duties is a protected class and yes it is illegal to use that information in a hiring decision.

Plus it makes you a bad person- you need to do a reference check and determine if the nanny is reliable. The fact that they do or do not have children isn’t relevant.

[Anonymous]

Legal or not, it is relevant.

It usually comes up naturally is the interview.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Legal or not, it is relevant.

It usually comes up naturally is the interview.

No, it's not relevant to whether the nanny can perform the duties of the job or not. That's why references exist, so you can see how she performed in a similar job in the past.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It’s information I would really like to have in making a decision to hire.

Do potential employers ask you about having children?