Is it appropriate for me to ask a job applicant, "is it appropriate to discuss religion and/or sex in the workplace?"I am well-aware that it is illegal to discriminate on the basis of religion or sex and I have no desire to discriminate against any particular religion or sex. However, I do want to avoid hiring individuals who cause work to grind to a halt with inflammatory discussions about religion and/or sex.Also, is it illegal to discriminate in hiring on the basis of political preference? I have a similar concern with regards with political discussions, but since politics is so intertwined with finance/economics, I can't really say that it is not appropriate to discuss politics in a financial workplace.

Hmmm, yes, but only if you are conducting the interview naked ... in a hot tub ...while mastrubation.If you want to find out if a someone is a loon the appropriate time and place forthat is at an outside interview lunch. Insert a few beers into him and say either of the following:What's the big deal about this water boarding stuff anyway? -or-I kinda expected Cheney to be in jail by now!

QuoteOriginally posted by: propertyrightsIs it appropriate for me to ask a job applicant, "is it appropriate to discuss religion and/or sex in the workplace?"I am well-aware that it is illegal to discriminate on the basis of religion or sex and I have no desire to discriminate against any particular religion or sex. However, I do want to avoid hiring individuals who cause work to grind to a halt with inflammatory discussions about religion and/or sex. There are not so many of them that I have met in quant world who would bring work to a halt because of religion or sex. Even otherwise it is none of your fuckin business. In fact, that is what I would respond you if you ask me and especially if I am not interested in that job. Of all the issues, this should be last on your mind. It would be okay to ask his references this question. QuoteAlso, is it illegal to discriminate in hiring on the basis of political preference? Yes

QuoteOriginally posted by: iliketopologyThere are not so many of them that I have met in quant world who would bring work to a halt because of religion or sex. Even otherwise it is none of your fuckin business.How is it not my "fuckin" business if work grinds to a halt? Is not work quite literally my "business?" And "not so many of them" is different than "no one," right?Seehttp://careerplanning.about.com/od/workplacesurvival/tp/work_talk.htm (Top 6 Topics to Avoid Discussing at Work)

Unless you plan to hire some religious mujahedin of any creed or religion, or a former porn star, and unless you are located to a country like Iran, then there is no need to make such questions. Busy people have no time for chit chat.

QuoteOriginally posted by: AnthisUnless you plan to hire some religious mujahedin of any creed or religion, or a former porn star, and unless you are located to a country like Iran, then there is no need to make such questions. Busy people have no time for chit chat.I agree that busy people have no time for chit chat - this is exactly the reason I would want to ask this question. I want to avoid hiring chit-chatters who tie up their co-workers all day in discussions about politics, religion, and/or sex. If the person is religious or a former porn star, that's fine, so long as it does not interfere with work.

Hire me...i will only talk about football.

My only recommendations for property rights would be:1) Do not ask, *but*2) have a 90 day probation period and quietly observe the situation.3) You will also want to have your IT people monitor the new hire's Internet connection.Pay particular attention to visits to Wilmott Forum Off Topic. It is a veritable den of iniquity in there.For my own hiring, I prefer extremely bright, driven, unconventional people.As long as they do not excessively abuse and insult colleagues who are more fragile, all is well in the Bull Pen.

QuoteAlso, is it illegal to discriminate in hiring on the basis of political preference? .Yes

Also, is it illegal to discriminate in hiring on the basis of political preference? .Did you say General Motors?

QuoteOriginally posted by: propertyrightsHow is it not my "fuckin" business if work grinds to a halt? Is not work quite literally my "business?" Because people's sex preference and religion is not your fuckin business in a professional world. It would imply the same as racial/sexual segregation. Besides you are presuming that people of certain religion or sexual orientation are better than rest.

QuoteOriginally posted by: propertyrightsIs it appropriate for me to ask a job applicant, "is it appropriate to discuss religion and/or sex in the workplace?"I would rather ask "Is it appropriate to spend work time on chit-chat?", but it is obvious they will say "No".

QuoteOriginally posted by: iliketopologyQuoteOriginally posted by: propertyrightsHow is it not my "fuckin" business if work grinds to a halt? Is not work quite literally my "business?" Because people's sex preference and religion is not your fuckin business in a professional world. It would imply the same as racial/sexual segregation. Besides you are presuming that people of certain religion or sexual orientation are better than rest.Consider the following questions:1) is it appropriate to discuss religion and/or sex in the workplace?2) what is your religion?3) what is your sexual preference?Do you recognize a significant difference between question 1 and questions 2 and 3?This statement of yours "Besides you are presuming that people of certain religion or sexual orientation are better than rest" is false. I am not presuming any such thing. I am saying that I prefer people who do not discuss religion or sex in the workplace. I do not care whether a person is a Jew or Muslim, a heterosexual or a homosexual. Did you somehow miss the following words in my posts: discuss, discussing, discussions, and chit chat?

Asking sex/religion related questions is risky and will expose your firm to legal action. Q1 may be accepted but not Q2/Q3. Obviously Q1 is different from Q2/Q3 for which the latter twos are too personal

QuoteOriginally posted by: DSPGuyHmmm, yes, but only if you are conducting the interview naked ... in a hot tub ...while mastrubation.If you want to find out if a someone is a loon the appropriate time and place forthat is at an outside interview lunch. Insert a few beers into him and say either of the following:What's the big deal about this water boarding stuff anyway? -or-I kinda expected Cheney to be in jail by now!Hey DSP, could you elaborate a bit on the beers part.