'So are you married?' And other questions you CAN'T ask job applicants any more

These days, they probe their lifestyles at their peril.

Employers are being warned they could fall foul of discrimination laws if they even ask a job applicant their age or marital status.

Many bosses are finding themselves stung by large fines for seeking information about an interviewee which falls outside the strict criteria of their ability to do the job.

The consumer organisation Which? has produced a handbook highlighting 'no go' questions for firms that want to stay on the right side of the law.

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They include questions about an employee's sexual orientation and religious beliefs.

Handbook author Sue Tumelty said: "Long gone are the days when a nervous interviewee had to answer all sorts of questions about their lifestyle and their personal views.

"As employers can't judge a candidate's ability to do the job on their age, sex or religious views, for example, they've no business asking about these things."

Employment law specialist Brian Palmer said many managers found it difficult to explore the personality of potential staff members in case they were accused of discrimination.

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He said: "In years gone by, people have been keen to establish not only if a new worker could do the job, but also what type of person they are and if they will fit in with their company."

He warned some employers complained political correctness now meant they had no picture of the person they were trying to hire.

A recent survey found more than a quarter of workers had been the victim of some form of discrimination during their careers.

The number of employment tribunals is on the increase with 15 per cent more actions last year than the previous 12 months.

Separate research has highlighted that employers need to be wary of applicants who mask their true personalities at interview.

A poll of 1,000 workers found half admitted adopting a false persona in order to impress or 'fit in' with the company.

However, the study also found that bosses often conceal their real nature during interviews.

Richard McHenry, of business psychology experts OPP, who carried out the research, said it underlined why so many businesses were supplementing interviews with psychometric tests and other assessments.

"On the one hand, you have half of all interview candidates pretending to be something they're not. On the other, half of all interviewers are also concealing their real personalities.

"It's no wonder that recruitment and selection practitioners recommend not relying on interview alone."