Ensure age verification for alcohol service, avoid discriminatory questions, and verify work eligibility whilst following equal opportunity guidelines and maintaining consistent assessment criteria for all candidates. Focus exclusively on job-relevant competencies and legal compliance throughout the interview process.
Common misunderstanding: All age-related questions are legally the same
Legal compliance requires understanding specific industry requirements whilst avoiding discriminatory inquiry. You must distinguish between necessary verification and prohibited questioning.
Let's say you are interviewing a bartender candidate who looks young. You can ask "Are you over 18?" (the legal requirement for serving alcohol) but cannot ask "How old are you exactly?" or "When were you born?" which could lead to age discrimination.
Common misunderstanding: Casual conversation during trials doesn't count as official interviewing
All candidate interactions must comply with employment law regardless of interview format or casual atmosphere during service assessment.
Let's say you are running a busy trial shift and chatting casually with the candidate whilst they make cocktails. You cannot ask "Do you have kids at home?" even if it feels like friendly conversation. This could constitute family status discrimination regardless of the informal setting.
Focus on job-relevant questions, document objective assessment criteria, and provide equal opportunities for all candidates whilst avoiding personal questions about family, health, or protected characteristics. Maintain consistent interview processes and fair evaluation standards throughout all candidate assessments.
Common misunderstanding: Building rapport means asking personal questions
Employment law compliance applies to every aspect of candidate interaction and assessment. All questions must relate to job performance regardless of your intentions.
Let's say you are building rapport with a bartender candidate and ask "Where are you originally from?" thinking it's harmless small talk. This could constitute national origin discrimination if they don't get the job, even though you meant to be welcoming.
Common misunderstanding: Trial shifts have different legal rules than interviews
Equal opportunity requirements apply throughout all assessment phases including hands-on service evaluation and team interaction observation.
Let's say you are observing a candidate during their trial shift and notice they move differently than other staff. You cannot ask "Do you have any physical limitations?" even during practical assessment. Focus instead on whether they can perform essential job functions safely.
Never ask about age beyond legal requirements, family planning, health conditions, or personal relationships whilst avoiding questions about religion, politics, or other protected characteristics unrelated to job performance. Focus exclusively on service competency, availability, and establishment fit assessment.
Common misunderstanding: Asking about transport shows you care about staff safety
Questions must focus on ability to meet job requirements rather than personal circumstances. Transport questions can create discriminatory implications.
Let's say you are concerned about late-night shift coverage and ask "Do you have a car to get home after midnight shifts?" This could discriminate against candidates with disabilities who cannot drive. Ask instead: "Can you reliably work until 2 AM on weekends?" focusing on availability rather than personal circumstances.
Common misunderstanding: Commenting on accents or backgrounds is a compliment
Personal questions can create legal liability regardless of positive intentions. Professional interview conversation should centre on job-relevant competencies and establishment requirements only.
Let's say you are trying to put a nervous candidate at ease by asking "I love your accent - what country are you from?" This well-intended question could create national origin discrimination liability. Build rapport instead by discussing their bartending experience or interest in cocktail trends.