Tech Industry Faces Backlash After HR’s Inappropriate Interview Question to Techie on Family Planning Goes Viral
April 30, 2025 – A software professional’s job interview has sparked outrage online and reignited debate around workplace ethics, after she revealed being asked an illegal and highly personal question during a final-round interview.
In a Reddit post that has since gone viral, the anonymous candidate, who was interviewing for a senior developer position, recounted being asked by the HR representative whether she planned to have children in the coming years. The post, titled “HR asked me the strangest illegal question at the end of my interview”, described how the interview had been progressing normally until the recruiter posed the intrusive question:
“Could you tell me if you’re planning to have children in the next few years?”
Shocked by the nature of the inquiry, the candidate asked for clarification, only for the HR professional to allegedly double down, stating it was for “team planning purposes.” The techie expressed disbelief, writing, “I was completely caught off guard. After an awkward pause, I was in disbelief that this was happening in a professional setting.”
The post quickly gained traction on Reddit and other platforms, with users condemning the question as both unethical and illegal. In jurisdictions like the United States, such inquiries violate employment laws, including the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Pregnancy Discrimination Act, both of which prohibit discrimination based on family status or reproductive plans during the hiring process.
Techie Story in Major Media
Major Indian news outlets, including Hindustan Times and Times Now, picked up the story, amplifying the Techie’s experience and sparking a larger conversation around hiring norms in the tech sector. Several users encouraged the candidate to report the incident to employment watchdogs or bring it to the attention of company leadership. Others shared similar stories, pointing to a recurring problem in interviews across the tech industry.
Human resources experts also weighed in. A senior HR consultant with over two decades of experience emphasised the legal and ethical implications. “This is a textbook example of what not to ask in interviews. Companies must educate their hiring teams about legal boundaries,” she told Business Insider. Similarly, Yale University’s Office of Career Strategy lists family planning among “illegal interview topics,” cautioning that they breach both federal and state anti-discrimination statutes.
The timing of the incident adds to growing scrutiny of workplace culture in tech. In recent months, several professionals have shared experiences of demeaning or intrusive interview processes. In one February 2025 case, a Bengaluru-based Techie revealed being verbally berated by a hiring manager, who labelled them a “disgrace to software development.” Others have reported being accused of using AI tools like ChatGPT to falsify credentials.
The Techie ended her Reddit post uncertainly: “Has anyone else encountered something like this recently? I’m not sure if I should report this or just move on.” The overwhelming response from fellow Techies leaned toward action. Many argued that calling out such conduct is essential for changing harmful industry norms.
“Silence only enables these patterns to continue,” one commenter wrote. “Speaking up may not fix it immediately, but it plants the seeds for accountability.”
As conversations around diversity, equity, and inclusion continue to evolve, the incident has become a flashpoint for advocates demanding transparency and reform in hiring practices. For now, it stands as a stark reminder that professionalism must extend beyond skill assessment into how candidates are treated and respected at every stage of the hiring process.
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