Because you don’t need to know their business, a death, an illness, all kinds of things could have happened. It has nothing to do with their actual skill sets .

What happened if you were fired for harassment, as an example - “none of anyone’s business”?

I guess I need to understand what it is you're looking for in the question? Cuz I don't really think it is. My dad died during the covid situation. A lot of terrible things happened and I took a break from work. My current job did not ask me about it. I ended up telling them anyway, but that was my choice. What are you looking for in that question that can't be asked differently?

I agree the response was rude, but the question itself was also quite personal and potentially inappropriate. Given the timing it’s likely to touch on someone’s trauma, which isn’t suitable for a job setting. I understand why you'd ask generally but when seeing the timeframe, I would hope the human in you and management would kick in and realize 9/10 ppl were going through it. If the answer doesn't truly matter (they could say anything) then maybe it's not truly a question worth asking…??

If they said they’d acquired long covid and it had taken them several years to the cover enough to attempt working again would it affect their chances?

Just because you want an answer doesn’t mean you are entitled to it. A gap in employment often means trauma, leave if at that.

But you just stated it background check what’s is going to show in that background check can you elaborate more because I also had a gap because of Covid and that 2020/2021 school year the kids had it online and well then things happened but maybe you are right it was rude

How is not answering it rude? Just genuine question if u dont inherently detect a question about an inadequacy highly likely to be for reasons outside of one's control with the implication it might affect the outcome of the interview to be rude, why exactly do you believe not answering it is rude?

You don’t know how if this person was denied several jobs because they answered honestly. The gap is irrelevant. Now if this person truly answered in this manner then that want professional at all

I do think the interviewee could’ve said none of your business nicely lol I get it if it’s been 2 or more yrs but I think what other commenters are getting at is what value are you getting outta of asking that question &the interviewee answers? The question gives similar vibes when recruiters/hr ask what did you make at your last company. Me personally, I would’ve said the gap was me taking personal time &left it at that. I honestly didn’t think ppl still asked that b/c I’ve never been asked.