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There’s a growing problem with companies that refuse to hire people who don’t already have a job. With unemployment at 9%, this kind of discrimination affects a huge number of people. And it hits Black communities particularly hard, as more than 15% of African Americans are unemployed.
Our friends at USAction launched a campaign asking job listing websites like Monster.com to ban ads that discriminate against the unemployed. But not only did Monster.com refuse to ban these ads — they actually threatened legal action against USAction for raising the issue. Other job listing websites have been completely silent. It’s outrageous.
Today ColorOfChange members are joining USAction, Change.org, and CREDO Action in calling on Monster.com and other job listing websites to stop publishing ads which discriminate against the unemployed. Please join us.
From the email we sent to our members this morning:
At a time when more than 9% of Americans are out of work, during the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression, no one should have to have a job in order to get a job. This type of discrimination hurts everyone who’s looking for work. But Black people are nearly twice as likely to be unemployed as White folks. And Latinos are also unemployed at a higher rate than Whites.4 Whether it’s intended or not, discrimination against the unemployed is discrimination against Black and Latino Americans.
Democrats in the House and Senate are crafting legislation that would make this kind of discrimination illegal. We’ll keep an eye on that legislation and let you know how you can help get it passed.
But right now, without any law to prevent discrimination against the unemployed, job listing websites could do more than anyone else to stop this practice. These companies are supposed to be in the business of helping people find jobs. But by continuing to publish help wanted ads that say “you must be currently employed to apply,” they’re enabling a practice which makes it even harder to recover for the people who are struggling the hardest in this economy.
Monster.com has said that they’re against discrimination against the unemployed5 — but they’re refusing to stop publishing these ads, saying that they’ll leave it up to individual companies to decide what to do.6 Monster.com wants to have it both ways — they think they can pay lip service to opposing this practice, while continuing to make money off of the companies that engage in it. It’s selfish and irresponsible.
We can help by joining the more than 60,000 people who have already called for Monster.com and other job listing sites to stop discrimination against the unemployed. If enough of us speak out, we can create negative media attention that will make easier for Monster.com to do the right thing than to continue profiting from job listings that discriminate.
Please join us in demanding that Monster.com and other job listing companies stop publishing ads that discriminate against the unemployed:
http://act.colorofchange.org/sign/monster
Thanks and Peace,
– Rashad, James, Gabriel, William, Dani, Matt, Natasha and the rest of the ColorOfChange.org team
August 25th, 2011Help support our work. ColorOfChange.org is powered by YOU–your energy and dollars. We take no money from lobbyists or large corporations that don’t share our values, and our tiny staff ensures your contributions go a long way. You can contribute here:
http&://www.colorofchange.org/donate
References
1. Bureau of Labor Statistics News Release, 8-5-11
http://www.bls.gov/news.release/pdf/empsit.pdf2. “Stop Discrimination Against Unemployed Workers,” USAction
http://act.truemajorityaction.org/p/dia/action3/common/public/?action_KEY=2423. “Monster.com Says It Won’t Ban Third-Party Ads That Discourage Job Applications From The Unemployed,” Huffington Post, 8-12-11
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/08/12/monstercom-ads-discourage-the-unemployed_n_925502.html4. See reference 1.
5. “Updated: Monster Speaks Out Against Employment Discrimination,” 8-8-11
http://www.monsterthinking.com/2011/08/08/monster-speaks-out-against-employment-discrimination/6. See reference 3.
8 Comments
Never gave my personal info to Monster.Com and never will. They’re no different than ChoicePoint.
I’m unfamiliar with this topic. Can you link to an example of Monster.com ad discriminating against the unemployed? I’d like to see what it is you’re referring to. Thanks.
Highly recommended!
Coming in late here. Thank you SO much for this post.
I got the CREDO action note and it is very important that even employed people stand up and take notice. They may soon be out of work as well.
Yes, I haven encountered this issue many, many times myself. It is insane to have a job vacancy posted anywhere and then state that unemployed need not apply. That is like having a cafe with a sign that says, Hungry need not enter.
I wish I could get your diary more attention. Everyone needs to read and support the cause!
Just check any local paper and their Career Builder job ads. You can do that online.
I’ve sent out MILLIONS of resumes to both Monster and Career Builder, along with many others. Not one single response aside from the online apps where they acknowledge they rec’d the resume.
It is so disheartening and degrading. People that walk past these issues may soon find themselves in the same situation.
With our political air heads on the tv trying to get re-elected on the jobs issue, this needs to be front and center.
I have read articles where congress critters are shutting their offices to keep people from asking them about jobs.
People!
Please read this post, share it with others outside of FDL. Keep this action going. So many families are counting on any small amount of help.
Thank you, Rashad.
This issue needs far more attention, and those Americans who don’t have their heads stuck in the sand of time must realize that simple, basic fairness IS as American as apple pie.
Recommended!!!! To consideration of all at FDL.
Remember ALL those who are looking for work, as… YOU MIGHT BE NEXT.
Thanks also to: Peasant Party … for the timely “Heads Up!”
DW