Salary questions in job interviews ‘can set women up for lower pay’

Questions about salary levels in job interviews can contribute to gender inequality, because women are usually paid less than men and are therefore likely to be offered less by a new employer, a Massey University business academic has said.

Jane Parker, professor of human resource management with the university’s business school, says there are a number of interview questions that can introduce gender-related bias. These include questions about present salary levels and job titles.

“Not all jobs are paid equally and fairly, and asking about current salary won’t necessarily help close the gap—it could even perpetuate it,” she said in a university statement.