Can employers legally ask women about their family planning during a job interview?

In many jurisdictions, it is illegal for employers to inquire about a candidate's family planning during a job interview. This is largely grounded in anti-discrimination laws aimed at preventing bias based on gender and family status. Asking about family planning can lead to assumptions or stereotypes about a woman's availability, commitment, and potential future maternity leave, which could impact hiring decisions.

The principle behind these legal protections is to ensure that all candidates are evaluated solely on their qualifications and ability to perform the job, rather than personal circumstances unrelated to their employment. Therefore, the correct response highlights that such inquiries are not permissible in a professional hiring context.

The other options suggest scenarios where such questions might be allowed, but in practice, these conditions do not align with established employment laws and best practices in recruitment, aimed at fostering a fair and equitable hiring process.