When you first go to join a nanny agency you will either be sent a registration form to fill in, or be asked to fill it in and various other questions at interview.
There may be questions on these forms which are illegal and you do not need to answer.
The Equality Act 2010 makes it unlawful to discriminate against someone because of one or more protected characteristics. The protected characteristics are: age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation.
They cannot ask you:
- Where were you born?
- What is your native tongue?
- How long have you lived here?
- Are you a UK citizen?
- Is English your first language?
- What is your nationality?
- What is your religion?
- Do you celebrate Christmas?
- How old are you?
- Date of birth?
- What year did you leave school?
- Are you married?
- Do you plan to get married?
- How many children do you have?
- Do you have any dependants?
- How old are your children?
- Do you have any childcare?
- Are you planning to have children?
- Will the job hours clash with your family commitments?
- What is your sexual orientation?
- How did you acquire your disability?
- Don’t you think it will be difficult to do this job with your disability?
- Are you on any medication?
- Do you have any medical issues/allergies?
- How many sick days did you take in your last position?
- What is your height?
- How much do you weigh?
- What dress size are you?
- What colour are your eyes and hair?
- Do you smoke/vape?
- What are your parents’ jobs?
- Do you have any siblings? What are their ages?
- Do you own your home?
- Do you run your home?
Nanny agencies may ask you some of these questions on a separate form to monitor diversity. However this form should be kept confidential and separate from your application and be without your name. You are under no obligation to fill the monitoring diversity form in.
If you come across any of these questions on your application form leave them blank.