---
title: "Job interview: 5 forbidden questions | Actual group"
description: "A recruiter cannot ask you anything. Discover the 5 forbidden questions in a job interview and learn how to assert your rights."
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  "og:description": "A recruiter cannot ask you anything. Discover the 5 forbidden questions in a job interview and learn how to assert your rights."
  "og:title": "Job interview: 5 forbidden questions"
---

# **5 forbidden questions in a job interview**

June 24, 2026·5 min read

*Origin, sexual orientation, number of children... questions asked during a job interview are regulated by law. During a job interview, the recruiter will ask you a certain number of questions to assess your skills for the offered position and discover part of your personality. All questions that go beyond professional conversation – even if asked in a friendly way – are off-topic and may constitute hiring discrimination. Discover the topics that fall outside the legal framework of a job interview through 5 examples of forbidden questions.*

## Discover 5 examples of forbidden questions in a recruitment interview

### 1. Do you have children?

This question, which may seem harmless in another context, has nothing to do with your skills and is therefore strictly forbidden.

The employer is also not allowed to ask if you are pregnant, if you plan to have more children, what your marital status is, your partner's profession, etc.

According to lawmakers, this information could influence the rest of the interview.

### 2. Do you have any specific health problems?

Questions regarding your health status or physical condition are also forbidden. They may be legitimate for certain positions or assignments (mover, construction worker, etc.) where good physical condition is essential. But regardless, the employer will have to wait for the medical check-up report, as only the occupational physician can determine if you are fit for the position.

### 3. Are you a union member?

You can freely join the professional trade union of your choice without it affecting your recruitment. This question is deemed discriminatory and violates the principle of freedom of association.

The same applies to all other beliefs: political, religious... The recruiter cannot reject a candidate based on their personal opinions and practices.

### 4. What is your origin?

Here again, the question is discriminatory as it does not allow the employer to assess your professional skills and qualities. The same goes for your nationality or the origin of your surname. All of this belongs to the private sphere.

### 5. Do you have a criminal record?

Whether or not you have had legal issues, the recruiter cannot make their decision based on this criterion, unless the position requires it. This is the case for certain public service professions or security jobs (security guard, gendarme, etc.).

## Understanding why forbidden questions exist

For the future employer, the job interview consists of asking questions to determine if the candidate has the skills and interpersonal qualities required for the position. The candidate, too, is led to ask questions to ensure that the duties and the company suit them. It is a time for strictly professional discussion.

Any question outside this scope is therefore a forbidden question, as it can be discriminatory: an employer might try to favor one person over another by gathering private information.

The law currently defines 26 prohibited discrimination criteria:

- origin;
- sex;
- morals;
- sexual orientation;
- gender identity;
- age;
- family status;
- pregnancy;
- genetic characteristics;
- particular vulnerability resulting from economic situation;
- actual or supposed membership or non-membership of an ethnic group;
- actual or supposed membership or non-membership of a nation;
- actual or supposed membership or non-membership of an alleged race;
- political opinions;
- trade union or mutual society activities;
- exercise of an elective mandate;
- religious beliefs;
- physical appearance;
- surname;
- place of residence;
- bank domiciliation;
- health status;
- loss of autonomy;
- disability;
- ability to express oneself in a language other than French;
- whistleblower status.

Hiring discrimination is punishable by 3 years of imprisonment and a fine of 45,000 euros for an individual. The fine can reach 225,000 euros for a legal entity.

In the field of recruitment, these criteria are governed by Article L1132-1 of the Labor Code:

> « No person may be excluded from a recruitment or appointment procedure, or from access to an internship or an in-company training period, no employee may be sanctioned, dismissed, or be subject to a direct or indirect discriminatory measure ... because of their origin, sex, morals, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, family status or pregnancy, genetic characteristics, particular vulnerability resulting from their economic situation (apparent or known to the offender), actual or supposed membership or non-membership of an ethnic group, nation, or alleged race, political opinions, trade union or mutual society activities, exercise of an elective mandate, religious beliefs, physical appearance, surname, place of residence, or bank domiciliation, or because of their health status, loss of autonomy, disability, or ability to express themselves in a language other than French. »
>
> Article L1132-1 of the Labor Code

As for forbidden questions during a job interview, they are governed by Article L1221-6 of the Labor Code:

> « The information requested, in whatever form, from a job applicant may only be intended to assess their capacity to occupy the offered position or their professional skills. This information must have a direct and necessary link with the offered position or with the assessment of professional skills.
>
> The candidate is required to respond to these requests for information in good faith. »
>
> Article L1221-6 of the Labor Code

> **Good to know:*** if you believe you have been a victim of hiring discrimination, you can contact the Rights Defender (*[**defenseurdesdroits.fr**](http://defenseurdesdroits.fr)*) free of charge.*

Now you know which topics have no place in a job interview. All that's left is for you to prepare for the recruiters' questions that truly fall within the scope of an interview to land your dream job!

And if you need additional information, feel free to contact your Actual advisor.

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