Human resources or hiring personnel?

Is it that important for a person filling out an application to do the ethnic and sex part. Useally I check the bax thats says I decline to answere, but I am interested in this company and they sent me a form to fill out only pretanining to ethnicity and what sex I am.
Is it that important to know what sex I am and race for a job. As long as I qualify and pass a back ground and drug test what difference does it make?
I want this job, but I don't believe in answereing those two questions, what should I do?

Well if you can not tell what sex I am by my name you have a problem. And if it is truley "equall oppurtunity" Why ask the questions at all. That info has nothing to do with quallifing for a job. If I am truley the best person for the job why ask. Before they even call you for an interview they call your previous employers to find out how well you worked.

I am not really sure but I believe those two things are a "no no" for a prospective employer to ask.

Thanks for your vote of confidence. Report It

It is a system that you have to follow if you want a job when you write "I decline to answer this question" then it shows that you are a rebel and nobody wants a rebel on his hand as in a company the main concern of the person is to keep his team connected and to get the job done.

The sex and ethnic part too is important, cause in some areas a female is better in handling the job other than male or visa verca.

The ethnic background too is important, every race or community has a speciality of skill or character which makes him or her more suitable for particular job.

So i believe that one should not be offended by these type of forms but fill it and submit it, if you really want the job.