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That question in an interview would be a HUGE red flag for me. The question borderlines not only on age discrimination but also inappropriate disability or medical condition probing.
No, I've never been asked that (and I am late 40's, just started a new job in September). And I would totally think it's related to age discrimination.
Location: East of Seattle since 1992, 615' Elevation, Zone 8b - originally from SF Bay Area
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Whether that could be considered a way of getting away with age discrimination would be up to a judge deciding a lawsuit, but it's definitely a poor question for an employer to use. I remember when they used to get away with questions like "are you pregnant or planning to be in the near future?" back in the 1970s. When I first became a supervisor we would ask all candidates (male and female) "Is their anything in your personal life that could prevent you from being at work on time every day" and they would often volunteer information that could be used against them without treading on thin ice. Of course, most would just say no.
Mid thirties here. Although I usually get asked questions like how you deal with stress, how you deal with priorities etc never been asked about 'energy levels'.
If I was asked that in my 50's, I'd assume the interviewer has assumed that I have now reached my twilight days, and is expecting my eyelids to droop over at any moment, followed by my entire body collapsing while I expire from old age in the interview chair in front of them.
i think this could all very well depend on context of the situation and exactly what was said. "energy level" doesn't have to mean physical energy- and more often than not (in what i've seen) they're referencing more of a personality type - "go getter" attitude.
It's funny the interviewer was probably in his late 30's or early 40's. I just thought it was weird. By the way I haven't heard back from them. I have reached out to them as well.
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