Disturbing Job Ads: 'The Unemployed Will Not Be Considered'

[depakid]

This has to be one of more sick and dysfunctional developments I've seen in quite some time:

Still waiting for a response to the 300 resumés you sent out last month? Bad news: Some companies are ignoring all unemployed applicants.

In a current job posting on The People Place, a job recruiting website for the telecommunications, aerospace/defense and engineering industries, an anonymous electronics company in Angleton, Texas, advertises for a "Quality Engineer." Qualifications for the job are the usual: computer skills, oral and written communication skills, light to moderate lifting. But red print at the bottom of the ad says, "Client will not consider/review anyone NOT currently employed regardless of the reason."

In a nearly identical job posting for the same position on the Benchmark Electronics website, the red print is missing. But a human resources representative for the company confirmed to HuffPost that the The People Place ad accurately reflects the company's recruitment policies.

"It's our preference that they currently be employed," he said. "We typically go after people that are happy where they are and then tell them about the opportunities here. We do get a lot of applications blindly from people who are currently unemployed -- with the economy being what it is, we've had a lot of people contact us that don't have the skill sets we want, so we try to minimize the amount of time we spent on that and try to rifle-shoot the folks we're interested in."

Sony Ericsson, a global phone manufacturer that recently announced that it would be bringing 180 new jobs to the Buckhead, Ga. area, also recently posted an ad for a marketing position on The People Place. The add specified: "NO UNEMPLOYED CANDIDATES WILL BE CONSIDERED AT ALL." When asked about the ad, a spokeswoman said, "This was a mistake, and once it was noticed it was removed."

Ads asking the unemployed not to apply are easy to find. A Craigslist ad for assistant restaurant managers in Edgewater, N.J. specifies, "Must be currently employed." Another job posting for a tax manager at an unnamed "top 25 CPA firm" in New York City contains the same line in all caps.

A company's choice to ignore unemployed applicants and recycle the current workforce ignores the effect of the recession on millions of highly-qualified workers and could prolong the unemployment crisis, said Judy Conti, federal advocacy coordinator for the National Employment Law Project.

"In the current economy, where millions of people have lost their jobs through absolutely no fault of their own, I find it beyond unconscionable that any employer would not consider unemployed workers for current job openings," she said. "Not only are these employers short-sighted in their search for the best qualified workers, but they are clearly not good corporate citizens of the communities in which they work. Increasingly, politicians and policy makers are trying to blame the unemployed for their condition, and to see this shameful propaganda trickle down to hiring decisions is truly sad and despicable."

More: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/06/04/disturbing-job-ads-the-un_n_600665.html

[Faygo Kid]

1. I was unemployed 2001-2004. Brutal. Now it's worse.

Girlfriend unemployed since Jan. 1. Awful story. Will move in with her in October if need be; she's 59. I will not let her lose her house. I doubt she will be hired by anyone. Get real.

[Paula Sims]

2. I've seen both sides of the situation

My friend wanted a job at Dunkin Donuts because she and her husband are looking for part time jobs to supplement their current income. She explained to the 16 year old "manager" why she wanted the AM shift only (so she can get the kids to school and then get to work herself), then he told her "we have enough people who currently don't have jobs so we're going to give them first shot".

On the other hand, my husband (unemployed 18 months) has been directly applying and going through contractors and head hunters and they all said it's easier to get a job if you're currently employed. Doesn't make sense since the unemployed are hardly in a position to dictate terms, but that's the way it is.

Paula

[Celebration]

3. try looking at it this way

If they hire currently employed people, that will create an opening when they leave--maybe for an unemployed person.

[izquierdista]

4. Never enough chairs

And the employers like it that way. When they stop the music and everyone has to sit down, employers can get people to sit on a rock or even a patch of cactus.

The only way to combat this is to talk to the restaurant manager, while flashing a big wad of bills, and then tell him that while you might shit at his establishment, you certainly wouldn't want to eat there. Then go use the restroom which he is required, by law, to have as a "public accommodation".

[Lucky Luciano]

5. I can see the employer's point of view, but

It is still cruel. I had 8 months of being out of work and I know I had to deal with this although it was never explicitly stated.

I only got back in the game because someone I worked with in the past knew I was competent and he needed someone ASAFP. His key subordinate had just jumped ship for a bigger better deal. Good thing I was a known quantity to that guy!

In the interim, I did get my cv out for jobs I know I was not perfectly suited for and there is no doubt that it was noise and clutter for HR. Obviously this is an employer's job market and they can choose what they want on their terms. Now I am trying to make myself so valuable that ican extort more money from them next year with threats of going to another employer who would prefer to hire an already employed person! This sort if thing generally works in my industry.

[Meeker Morgan]

6. This is not a new development by any means.

Easier to find a job if you have a job.

Maybe openly admitting it is new.

[raccoon]

9. +1. nt

[Forrest Greene]

7. The Unemployed Are Spoiled Fruit (From One Point Of View)

It makes sense to only hire the currently-employed. They are still fully conditioned to exist in the regular working world.

People who have been out of work for a while have had time to learn it is quite possible to survive & even thrive without a regular paycheck, & to learn their worth does not in fact rise or fall at the whims of middle managers. They've had time to reflect on the outrageous assaults made on their self-respect & intelligence at their last job, & to resolve never to stand still for being treated that way again.

They've almost made it all the way back to being autonomous human beings. As such, they are poor prospects for remaining docilely at a new "job," soaking up the ill-treatment & cringing in wait for the next round of layoffs.

[teknomanzer]

8. Funny you should say that...

The only real reason I'm keeping my current new job is so I can learn how to run my own PC repair business. I do not care for the way my current employer views its customers - basically as walking ATM's. Once I have a full understanding of their best practices and their weaknesses I will start my own advertising campaign to undermine them. Its a form of industrial espionage. Fuck them they are ripping people off anyway.

[Macoy]

10. Smart Move Teknomanzer

Very smart move on your part teknomanzer. It is a great feeling, when you work for a jerk, to know you have a better job lined up.

I used to work in a hellhole and accepted a job else where. Due to timing issues, I stayed with the jerk about a month after I accepted the other job. That last month was stress free becouse every time the jerk told me to do some thing stupid, I would just smile and think…..just a few more days…......


Macoy

[teknomanzer]

11. Pretty much the same here... I just smile...

and think "I'm spying on you - corporate turd!" Its turned work into a pleasant little game.

[supernova]

12. ^^Post of the Day^^

I wish we could nominate a Post of the Day. That would have been Sunday's for me.

You're right in that in being laid off, the good thing to come out of it, is to realize the extend to which the way we organize "work" really harms all of us who aren't sociopaths.

I'm like the poster above me. I have a business that I am starting for myself. If I get another job of the type that I did in corp America again, it will be with an eye toward financing this, my own work adventure.

And I am resolving to do things differently in my business, if it becomes successful enough to have employees other than me.

[HillWilliam]

13. Twice unethical

They don't mind ignoring a perfectly good pool of employable people AND they're all-too happy to poach some other shop. Nice :-\