{
  "id": 13861515,
  "title": "Questions from employment law: Nasty question in a job interview: When lying is allowed",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/12/fragen-aus-dem-arbeitsrecht-fiese-frage-im-bewerbungsgesprach-wann",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-10-12T03:02:05.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Handelsblatt",
    "slug": "handelsblatt",
    "url": "https://www.handelsblatt.com/politik/deutschland/fragen-aus-dem-arbeitsrecht-fiese-frage-im-bewerbungsgespraech-wann-luegen-erlaubt-ist/100261421.html"
  },
  "original_language": "de",
  "account": "Alexander Bredereck, a lawyer specializing in labor law, states that questions about pregnancy, desire for children, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, and party or union affiliation have no place in a job interview, as they are considered inadmissible under the General Act on Equal Treatment (AGG). If an applicant is asked such a question, they have a right to lie, according to a Federal Court of Justice ruling, and an employer cannot use the lie to invalidate the employment contract. However, Bredereck advises against lying and instead recommends taking legal action against the discrimination. Employers are allowed to ask job applicants about skills necessary for the job, such as physical abilities or language proficiency. Proving discrimination in court can be difficult, according to Bredereck.",
  "summary": "The question about wanting children is the classic no-go in job interviews. Which questions are also inadmissible - and how to deal with them best.",
  "key_points": [
    "Discriminatory pregnancy and family planning questions prohibited in interviews per AGG.",
    "Unusual inquiries rare, but employers generally avoid very sensitive questions.",
    "Employer cannot contest contract or terminate employee if lie is later revealed."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}