Is asking about my home computer setup an illegal interview question?

[undeterred]

I'm a mid level techie and I've been asked this a couple of times. My home setup is DSL and a desktop computer. No server or extra machines, no network, no firewall blah blah blah.

I live alone, and I am not a programmer, so for me the home computer is mainly for using the internet. Nothing particularly valuable on the computer.

It seems to not go over very well when I tell the truth. Next time, should I come up with a fabulous lie or tell them its none of their business?

[trotsky]

1. Probably not illegal

But certainly ethically questionable if they are making hiring decisions based on that. Not every good tech I've met has an entire network and PC workshop at home. Some are excellent at technical tasks at work but leave it all behind when they go home and have other hobbies.

It might make for good conversation, but I don't think that should be part of an interview.

[undeterred]

5. I'm not a typical techie- I don't "talk tech" very well and I am not

consumed by technological curiosity 24 hours a day. But more importantly, over the past few years I've only had contract work with periods of unemployment in between, so the last thing I'm going to spend money on is computer equipment that I don't really need.

Its a moments like these that I feel like I'm just not one of the boys.

[flvegan]

2. Well, if telecommuting is an option for your job now or

in the future, the company might want to know if you have a turn-key setup or not.

[KurtNYC]

3. I think the question is looking for

your level of personal engagement with hardware and firewalls and what not. You might steer your answer in a direction that lets you talk about your familiarity with the more complex aspects of home computer set-up even if you don't have them at home.

[Orangepeel]

4. I can't think of any reason it would be illegal.

it's a stupid question, IMO, but there's no law against that.

[undeterred]

6. If its not required for the job why do they have a right to even ask?

Most companies that want you to work from home will give you a computer and an allowance for a service provider- they don't expect you to provide it.

[Orangepeel]

9. potential employers have a lot of flexibility

an employment lawyer I know explained it to me like this. The only thing that a potential employer is legally restricted from asking about in an interview is a disability, because that is restricted by the Americans with Disabilities Act. They are prohibited from discriminating when hiring on a bunch of other things (e.g., race, religion and other things that are "protected"). Therefore, although they are not specifically prohibited from asking about these things in an interview, they had better not (because asking about them indicates that they care about the answer and if they get sued for discrimination, they will likely lose).

Your hobbies, interests, tastes, etc. are legal questions, even if they are not directly relevant to the duties of the job.

[sui generis]

7. don't do the fabulous lie

The reason there are a couple of reasons they're asking:

1. What kind of safety, understanding of basic tech do you employ at your home. Answering this question gives insight into your knowledge of risk and safety issues, and more importantly what you do to mitigate those risks.

2. You may be asked to check in or to work from home some times, and having an inadequate system at home precludes that.

It's definitely not illegal, but just like answering "what kind of car do you drive", there is a right and wrong way to answer.

"I drive a Volkswagon with a plywood hood and a barbie doll hood ornament" doesn't fly nearly as well as "I own my own car and I don't have any car payments. I view cars as a means to get from point A to point B, not as status symbols to burn money that I could be putting towards my retirement." is a better answer.

[Gyre]

8. LOL

SG,

I like you. Have a nice day! :)

Gyre