Can I ask about someone's faith in an interview?

In most jurisdictions, no — and doing so creates legal exposure regardless of intent. Check with an employment lawyer where you are.

Is it wrong to prefer someone who shares my values?

Values like honesty and reliability are fair to hire for and can be assessed from how someone has worked. Religious belief is a different thing and is usually a protected characteristic.

What if the role involves representing my convictions?

That is exactly the case where you need proper advice, because the exemptions are narrow and getting it wrong is expensive.

← Answers

Should I only hire Christians?

Hiring on shared faith rather than on whether someone can do the work tends to produce both a weaker team and a worse witness — and in most jurisdictions it is unlawful discrimination. The more useful question is whether someone who shares none of your convictions would still want to work for you in a year.

The legal position is not a footnote

Employment law in most places prohibits hiring on religion outside narrow religious-organisation exemptions, and a trade business is very unlikely to qualify. This is a question for an employment lawyer in your jurisdiction before it is a question of conscience.

Shared belief is not shared character

It is entirely possible to hire someone who agrees with you about everything and turns up late, cuts corners and is unkind to the crew. Character shows in how someone works, and it is testable in ways a statement of belief is not.

The better test

Whether someone who does not share your convictions still wants to work here in a year. If they do, something about how the place runs is working. If they do not, no amount of agreement at the interview will have fixed it.

What people actually notice

Being paid properly and on time, being told the truth when it costs you something, and not being shouted at. Those are visible to everyone regardless of what they believe, and they say more than anything you could put in a job advert.

Also asked

Can I ask about someone's faith in an interview?: In most jurisdictions, no — and doing so creates legal exposure regardless of intent. Check with an employment lawyer where you are.
Is it wrong to prefer someone who shares my values?: Values like honesty and reliability are fair to hire for and can be assessed from how someone has worked. Religious belief is a different thing and is usually a protected characteristic.
What if the role involves representing my convictions?: That is exactly the case where you need proper advice, because the exemptions are narrow and getting it wrong is expensive.

Written for your trade

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