Deployment Possibility Question During Job-interview?

I would also like to offer that I never hid the fact I'm in the military -- for a number of reasons:

I believe that asking that question is illegal.&nbsp; Just as not holding a job for you if you do deploy.&nbsp; I would have to do some research to verify that.&nbsp; <br>

A good resource for questions concerning civilian employment is through the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR). There is really good information for both you as an employee and for the employer. Yes, discrimination and retaliatory acts are prohibited by the USERRA. Also, there are points of contact you can call to answer any questions you may have. Their website address is below:

<p>When I first separated from active duty military in 2005 I was asked the same question by every civilian employer that I interviewed with.&nbsp; I was even flat out told that they only reason they chose not to hire me was because I was still in the reserves and the possibility of deploying was there!&nbsp; Is this illegal, yes but how do you prove it.&nbsp; It’s my word against theirs, and even if I did take legal action and forced them to hire me what would that solve.&nbsp; I would now be working for an organization that would take every opportunity to make me miserable.&nbsp; <br></p><p>I have found that it is best to just accept the fact that you are better off not working for that kind of organization.&nbsp; And to find one that appreciates veterans and the values that we bring with us.</p>

That question is illegal to ask.&nbsp; I avoid the topic by not mentioning that I was (at the time) in the Reserves.&nbsp; I learned that lesson the hard way several years ago when I missed a deployment for an exercise because my supervisor told me that I had get out of movement because my products were due to the customer or I would not have a job when I returned.&nbsp;My absence was nothing new to him since I had been reminding him 90 days out that I was taking military leave for an exercise. &nbsp;I should have contacted HR to set him straight&nbsp; but I was new to the Reserve and did not understand my rights. So I got out of the movement and kept my job only to be laid off several months later.&nbsp;

Wow. I just want to give a shout out to Booz Allen Hamilton here.

I've been working as a Booz employee since 24 March. Tuesday, I got an unofficial 'warning order' that written orders are likely coming in a couple of weeks. Those orders will take me to Fort Gordon, GA for 3 months for my Warrant Officer Advanced Course.

Had to tell my task lead, my team lead, my project manager, and my career manager (he's out of town, I had to email him).

Not only are they talking about backfill, they are talking about plans on integrating me back into the team when I get back, and also talking about what projects I can roll onto when this project ends and we all roll off.

They want to keep me!!!!!!

This is going to go a looooooooooooong way towards cementing my loyalty to Booz Allen Hamilton.

Not a legal queation.

LTC (Join to see)

As pointed out by several others, that question is improper. Using your military status (possibility of deployment) as a reason to not hire you is illegal and could get the employer in very hot water, should you choose to pursue it. Of course, your burden would be to prove that was the reason or had a part in the non-hiring decision.

I never had that situation arise, as I was active duty, however, I think that, if I was asked that question, I would probably be honest and then, if I believed that would be held against me, would state, in a very matter-of-fact manner, that "using my military status in your hiring decision is a violation of Federal law". While that certainly would not result in your selection, it would serve to put the employer on notice that it was illegal and cause him/her to be concerned that you might pursue legal action against them if not selected. I would do it just to see them squirm.

Ladies and gentlemen, it is 100% illegal to discriminate against you for hire by asking if you are in the reserves/guard. To discriminate. It is not illegal to talk about the service, only to not hire because of the service.
If you felt the need, you could always litigate. I was faced with that choice when I was trying to hire on as a Police Officer. The interview questions were: Are you still in the Reserves? When do you get out? Sucks, but it was right after the first gulf war and Marines were all being activated. My choices were litigate, or get out of the Reserves. I chose to get out, because if I won litigation, I would always be the guy who sued and "they had to hire".
Pick your fights wisely. Some you cannot really win.