So I am posing this question for the attorneys in the group - I work for a corporation whose main headquarters is in a foreign country, yet they have satellite offices here in the U.S. This corporation pays a generous referral bonus for in-demand jobs to employees & I referred such a candidate. While filling out the referral form, I noticed they asked for the candidate’s date of birth on the form. I know here in the U.S., it’s illegal to ask for this info., but is it for non-U.S. companies?

Posting as :
works at
You are currently posting as works at

It is not illegal to ask for DOB. Under the US Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), it is illegal to discriminate against job applicants who are 40 years old or older. There are also additional federal requirements for entities that receive federal financial assistance, and some state laws that prohibit discrimination against younger applicants. Asking for DOB as part of a job application presents potential age discrimination risk and could expose the company to claims for age discrimination (US is a relatively high litigation risk jurisdiction). But unless there is actual age discrimination, merely collecting DOB is not necessarily unlawful.

Note that none of the above is a privacy law issue.

Under US privacy laws, there is also no general prohibition on collecting DOB (including in the employment context) and DOB is treated similarly to any other category of personal information. DOB is a noticeable data element under some state data breach notification statutes, so collecting it increases risk under those laws.

smart

Sure it’s definitely a best practice not to ask. But it’s not illegal to ask. And while it’s relatively rare, it’s still common enough that there are a lot of people asking about it online.

Yes, illegal in US. Employment laws key off where the candidate is located, not off where corporate HQ are.

It depends if they have a local entity or not. Assuming they employ people in the US via a US subsidiary, then it's illegal. But if they just have a branch office, our employment laws may not apply depending on where the main company is located, the employment laws of the main country, and any treaties between that country and the US.

See Sumitomo Shoji America, Inc. v. Avagliano, decided by the U.S. Supreme Court in 1982. We learn about this case in law school, but it's never come up before.

Yes, they do employ workers in the U.S., and the company has a main headquarters here as well.

Conflicting information here. It is definitely illegal if the employee is located in the US. Also especially weird to ask for that information on a referral form.

Please cite the applicable law. Pro tip: you can’t.

It isn’t illegal. It just isn’t advisable to avoid potential discrimination claims. Not that this is “privacy” law in any event.

Agree with the others that have said asking for DOB is not inherently illegal. There are plenty of government jobs with maximum ages and if I’m not mistaken even Deloitte has a maximum age (for partners).

In this case, asking for DOB for a referral is most likely collected to ensure the person making the referral actually knows the person well enough to obtain their birthday. Hopefully the birthday is then not shared with HR to avoid the possibility of its misuse for discrimination.

Related Posts

When they lay people off, they often keep things quiet because it will "effect morale". But the firing itself is what effects morale. Being secretive about it undermines respect and harms morale more.

like

"The real inconvenient truth is not just that there is environmental pollution, which there certainly is, but that there is also social pollution. The work hours that companies are demanding of...”

like

Anyone who has 2+ years of experience in Salesforce. There are openings in Accenture.

likesmart
like

Colleague has put in his resignation. They are offering him whatever he wants to stay including 4days a week work from home. He’s not bluffing and plans to leave. However, at this same time I was asked to begin working as a supervisor for the engineering team and I would get a promotion at the beginning of the year. I have been supervising and managing our team of 6 for months with no extra pay or bonuses. I was told yesterday that raises will be light this year. Yet today they spare nothing.

likesmart

Hi
Can anyone please refer me at ellucian for cloud engineer I AWS & devops role
Req ID: 3000

Will be available to join in next 12 days

like

Hi All,

I am looking for a new opportunity on ITSM domain accross India on an immediate basis. Please let me know in case you can extend any help.


Prompt response is appreciated

I miss you, airport. I hope I can see you again soon.

like

Utilization rate this time of year?

like

I just had to send my husband away in an ambulance. I’m not allowed to go with him or even go to the hospital. I don’t know what to do. I can’t even be there for my husband.

like

USI Producer Job, how is it? Currently an Account Manager and looking at this opportunity. Also, really any advice from service to a sales transition is much appreciated!

like

Just had year end discussion. Not at all happy with how it went

like

Anyone have a good online calculator or way to adjust their W-4 towards the end of the year so they don’t get slammed with a high tax bill? I know I’m too late for 2020, but curious for next year...I got slapped with a 6-figure tax bill last year. 😑 My wife and I made adjustments to our 2020 W-4s, but afraid it wasn’t enough.

like

Recent graduate with Bachelors of Health Science in Workplace Health and Wellness. Currently working in a Healthcare job but as a client service coordinator. Really would like to get a job in my field. If anyone has suggestions/recommendations please share. Within GTA would be great if not, remote anywhere works.

Hi fishes,
I have 4.5 years of experience in .net and angular in cognizant I'm working I got call from
Genpact but In Genpact they are asking me join as lead consultant is it normal software engineer position or what any idea ..for only 4.5exp is it sufficient for lead consultant position.. firstly what is the responsibilities for lead consultant in GenpactGenpact

like

I interviewed for Amazon a month back for SDE1 position 2023 graduate. All my friends got rejection mail except a few 2 weeks ago.

But now seeing the firing of 10000 employees news, Is there any chance of getting hired?

Amazon India

like

We recently launched ParalegalListings.com, a job board designed exclusively for paralegals. Please check it out if you’re looking for a new job or just want to keep an eye on the market. Thanks!

like

Received an offer from the DOJ for a 2 year contract, doing work which seems more interesting/engaging than what I’m doing right now (insurance defence) - but for just over 9% less than I’m currently making, and the partner track has been outlined for me at my firm..feel like it’s not worth trading higher long term earning potential for contract + pay cut just because the work is more engaging..but on the other hand, ID is starting to bore me..thoughts/refs to anyone at DOJ would be appreciated

like
like

Have you received a performance evaluation that you did not agree with? And how did you deal with it?

Additional Posts in Privacy Law

Is anyone involved in IAPP’s young privacy professionals group? Is there an age cutoff? They keep emailing but I wouldn’t consider myself “young”! Will they stop emailing when I turn 40?

likefunny

I am preparing for the CIPP/US exam using their official textbook (3rd Ed). If anyone has a good outline, would you be willing to share? I tried to create one myself but it is taking way too long :/ Thanks so much in advance!

like

Can creditors go after my US assets if I file for bankruptcy in a different country? Not sure if this is based on US law or that country's law (Spain)

like
like

What are the best resources you’ve found that walks you through step-by-step, the data incident management process and what to ask your client?

like

Anyone have any suggestions on how to break into this field as a mid-level commercial litigator? I was thinking of taking the CIPP-US test but would that be enough to get some interview traction?

like

I’m currently doing IR work but would like to do something more on the technical side (ie: more forensics or technical). Does anyone know if forensics firms or any firm that offers a mix ? I have both a Cipp-Us and cyber/ Sec+ certs.

like

Can anyone share a salary range for a Privacy Manager role in the private sector for someone with a JD and several years of experience?

IAPP is such trash. Why does everyone recommend getting the CIPP certs when they mean nothing??

like

So as a 30ish yo with a government/PE/tech background and CIPM/CIPP… I’m finding privacy work is just much easier and interesting than other kinds, but still pays plenty well.

Is it too late/inadvisable to go to law school to specifically aim for privacy work?

I just find some firms are unwilling to entertain the idea that anyone but a lawyer has anything relevant to contribute in this space…

like

Govt attorney here. Trying to jump into privacy now. In house or big law ? Pros and cons in the world of privacy ?

like

What circumstances under the Gramm Leach Bliley Act would trigger reporting to the FTC, if at all?

like

Anyone here work at Meta? Looking for a referral for a privacy role

like

Any firms/companies hiring in their privacy group? Looking for fully remote or TX

like

In terms of taking the next step to elevate your career- what items are you heavily focusing on? I have speciality in data governance as well as product counseling, but curious to know what others find most helpful in their practice areas.

likehelpful

Hi all,
Been doing privacy for about a year now in-house. Got my CIPP/US.
Having major imposter syndrome still. I feel like the minute I finally have a grasp, something changes. The law and nuances just seem overwhelming. Maybe it’s just a lack of guidance/uniformity in the US. I’m not sure if I feel this way because it is simply the nature of the work or because I’m just not capable.
😔

likehelpful

How Much Can You Sue an
Employer for Not Paying You?

like

Looking for referrals to privacy practice at firms - not recruiters, associates only please. I am a senior corporate privacy associate with experience in counseling, compliance and regulatory advice. Experience with clients of all sizes and risk tolerances - start ups to global companies. No interest in firms that pay under market (no offense). TIA

like

Is it normal for a California employer to include a very detailed notice in the employee handbook about employee monitoring practices and the company’s right to search your stuff? Or do I need to look for a new job immediately….. 🚩

like

Can we talk about privacy vendors? We are looking for a platform to handle data inventory and/or data discovery, as well as automating the privacy impact assessment process. We already have vendors for DSARs and cookies. Do most people consolidate all these functions to one platform or use multiple? Anyone willing to share vendors they have had good or bad experiences with?

like

New to Fishbowl?

Download the Fishbowl app to
unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.
That was just a preview…
Sign Up to see all discussions
  • Discover what it’s like to work at companies from real professionals
  • Get candid advice from people in your field in a safe space
  • Chat and network with other professionals in your field
Sign up in seconds to unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.

Already a user?
Login here

Share

Embed this post

Copy and paste embed code on your site

Preview

Download the
Fishbowl app

See what’s happening in your industry
from the palm of your hand.

A phone with Fishbowl app

Scan your QR code to download
Fishbowl app on your mobile

Download app

Sign up for free to view this conversation on Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

Already have an account? Log in

Sign up for free to continue using Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use(New) and Privacy Policy(New)
Messaging rates may apply

Already have an account? Log in

For account settings, visit Fishbowl on Desktop Browser or

General

Legal