Asking a female candidate do you smoke by the male interviewer inbitween a interview and taking the candidate for smoke is that a good practice?
From India, Bangalore
From India, Bangalore
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As a non-smoker, my view is that taking a "smoke break" during an interview is wrong. It gives a poor impression of the organisation. The sex of the interviewer/interviewee is immaterial.
From United Kingdom
1639From United Kingdom
Are u the interviewer or the female who has been asked to accompany for a smoke..? In either case, it is professionally unethical to such acts... Regards
From India, Mumbai
From India, Mumbai
Hello,
"Practice" - The word itself is wrong. Can you elaborate on the situation a bit? For instance, this can be viewed in two ways.
Firstly, when the interviewee needs to wait for their second or final round of the interview, i.e., there is a significant time gap between the first round and the second or final round of the interview. Generally, companies do offer lunch or snacks as a gesture. Perhaps the interviewer here was quite bold to offer a smoke!
If this was not the case and it was just to take a break during the interview, one must strictly avoid making such an offer. This can impact the company's brand, the image of the interviewer, and the management. I hope you understand that this seriously raises doubts about the interviewer's work integrity.
As mentioned by other members, it is not about being male or female, but yes, when there is a female candidate, one must be mindful of their behavior.
From India, Ahmedabad
"Practice" - The word itself is wrong. Can you elaborate on the situation a bit? For instance, this can be viewed in two ways.
Firstly, when the interviewee needs to wait for their second or final round of the interview, i.e., there is a significant time gap between the first round and the second or final round of the interview. Generally, companies do offer lunch or snacks as a gesture. Perhaps the interviewer here was quite bold to offer a smoke!
If this was not the case and it was just to take a break during the interview, one must strictly avoid making such an offer. This can impact the company's brand, the image of the interviewer, and the management. I hope you understand that this seriously raises doubts about the interviewer's work integrity.
As mentioned by other members, it is not about being male or female, but yes, when there is a female candidate, one must be mindful of their behavior.
From India, Ahmedabad
If the female employee says yes, this means that the employee has been selected, and they are now colleagues. Therefore, asking a colleague for a smoke is not an offense.
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From India, Madras
[IMG]http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lkp2rfAmiF1qfcz15.jpg[/IMG]
From India, Madras
Instead of offering the cigarette, the interviewer can take the candidate to the cafeteria and offer a cup of tea. With that tea, an informal interview could have taken place, and it would not be an issue.
In some companies, interviewers themselves offer tea and start discussing some issues instead of asking formal interview questions. During the discussion, they inquire about the candidate's experience, qualifications, family, and other relevant details.
Offering a cigarette to a candidate is not acceptable as it reflects poorly on the company and the interviewer.
From India, Kumbakonam
In some companies, interviewers themselves offer tea and start discussing some issues instead of asking formal interview questions. During the discussion, they inquire about the candidate's experience, qualifications, family, and other relevant details.
Offering a cigarette to a candidate is not acceptable as it reflects poorly on the company and the interviewer.
From India, Kumbakonam
Dear Vinooraj,
At a time when so much emphasis is given to curbing smoking in aircraft, public places, and theatres - which were once clouded with smoke not very long ago - such an offer is far from being a decent one.
V. Raghunathan
Navi Mumbai
From India
At a time when so much emphasis is given to curbing smoking in aircraft, public places, and theatres - which were once clouded with smoke not very long ago - such an offer is far from being a decent one.
V. Raghunathan
Navi Mumbai
From India
Obviously, the interviewer is a smoker and had the urge to smoke at that point in time. Offering a cigarette is not very offensive; rather, it's being courteous. However, for the interviewee, it may be a little embarrassing, especially being a female in India. The female interviewee probably was not ready for this proposal during the interview. However, the final choice remains with the interviewee whether to accept or politely reject. In short, it's not a big issue in corporates.
From India, Delhi
From India, Delhi
It is totally unethical. First of all smoking is injurious to health. You are not only spoiling your health but also others health. You have no right to do so. KBBhat HR & Yoga consultant
From India, Bangalore
From India, Bangalore
Dear Vinooraj,
I saw your query and the answers given by the respected members. As an admin, offering a cigarette is unethical in the realm of HR. Tomorrow, the same HR personnel might, during interviews, ask male or female candidates for a sip of a hot drink, which is both irrational and unethical in our culture, despite India's significant advancement.
Hopefully, the HR personnel, after reviewing the responses provided by the members, will reconsider the practice of asking irrelevant interview questions. The answer has been given without prejudice.
Ravi
From India, Mumbai
I saw your query and the answers given by the respected members. As an admin, offering a cigarette is unethical in the realm of HR. Tomorrow, the same HR personnel might, during interviews, ask male or female candidates for a sip of a hot drink, which is both irrational and unethical in our culture, despite India's significant advancement.
Hopefully, the HR personnel, after reviewing the responses provided by the members, will reconsider the practice of asking irrelevant interview questions. The answer has been given without prejudice.
Ravi
From India, Mumbai
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