Although you may ask the question of men as well as women, I would hazard a
guess that women hear this question more often than men do (along with "how
will you juggle your family life with this job"). It is more widely assumed
that wives are willing to move for husbands' careers than the other way
around (just ask my mother-in-law...). As a fellow feminist, I can see how
this question can easily come across as "do you have your husband's
permission to apply for this job, little lady?"

I think a better question would be to ask the applicant themself how they
feel about moving, and whether or not they are prepared for this adjustment.
Presumably, if their spouse and children have chained themselves to the
front porch in protest, they will be feeling less than enthusiastic.

Also, one would never ask this type of question of a single person, which
makes it seem like an inappropriate one to me.

Just my two cents worth.
Erica

Erica S. Maniez
Museum Director, Issaquah Historical Society
425/392-3500
[log in to unmask]
www.issaquahhistory.org

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On
> Behalf Of Christopher Dill
> Sent: Thursday, February 07, 2002 10:56 AM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: More on hiring, in general
>
>
> "Another questions that I always seem to get is, "What does your
> husband think about moving?  As a life-long feminist this
> questions always bothers me, although I try not to show it."
>
> Hmmm.  As an employer I think it reasonable to ask how an
> applicant's spouse and/or family might react to moving long
> distance.  I ask this question of men as well as women.  When I
> interviewed for the job I'm in now I was asked what my wife
> thought about a move and thought it a perfectly reasonable
> question.  What does this have to do with feminism??
>
>
> Chris Dill, Superintendent
> City of Greeley Museums
> 919 7th Street
> Greeley  CO  80631
> T:  (970)350-9217
> F:  (970)350-9570
> E: [log in to unmask]
> www.greeleymuseums.com
>
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