You are the first shift department manager for medical records at a busy Level I trauma center, looking to fill a medical records technician. The second shift department manager is interviewing with you, and is new to the job,

The first applicant is a young male, who is in the process of completing his associate’s degree in medical imaging. He currently has a medical records technician certificate, and has two years experience at a former doctor’s office, but quit when he started x-ray school in order to accommodate his school schedule.

The second applicant is a young female, who is exhibiting signs of being pregnant judging by the slight round swell in her abdomen. She too has experience, similar to the first applicant, but has worked at a busy level I trauma hospital, while the first applicant has not. During the interview, the second shift manager asks her if she has children. She looks at him and answers, “Yes, I do, but why do you ask?" He then stammers and states that the facility does have childcare arrangements, should she need them and he felt she should know this.

1. Can the second shift manager ask any questions related to children? Is this an appropriate interviewing practice?

2. What, if any, legal recourses might the second applicant have if she is not hired for the position?

3. Have you encountered any similar interviewing experiences? If so, what did you do?