Long term unemployed need not apply
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Job listings for warehousing jobs were advertised in Georgia this week. Nothing to strange about that one might think, until you read the whole thing.
Minimum three years of experience. Ability to lift 75 pounds. Reliable transportation.
“If you have not worked since 2009, do not apply!”
No agency tracks the frequency of job postings that restrict applicants based on length of unemployment, and the Georgia Labor Department says it is not widespread. Anecdotally, though, reports of the practice have grown this year.
It also infuriates the long-term unemployed — half of Georgia’s 500,000 unemployed workers have been jobless at least six months. Many consider it unfair, particularly with five unemployed people for every job opening.
The warehouse job advertised by McDonough, a subsidiary of the Abacus Corporation, said companies that restrict applicants counter that, due to the lousy economy, they’re inundated with resumes, phone calls and emails and eliminating the long-term unemployed helps them keep the applicant pool manageable. Currently employed workers are safer bets, they add, especially as many companies have laid off less valuable workers.
“When it comes to fork lift drivers in particular, where a slip of the hand could mean somebody doesn’t go home that night, you need to make sure you’re hiring the safest and most qualified person,” said Michael Brady, chief operating officer for Baltimore-based Abacus.
He said he was unaware of the do-not-apply job listing in McDonough and that his company doesn’t routinely use such wording. But he added: “We typically want people with recent experience who are employed or recently unemployed.”
While the practice doesn’t appear to be an obvious violation of law, it is being reviewed.
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My son has a forklift license, and was actively recruited while driving to the job he currently holds. The guy who asked him said it was good to find someone who knew what they were doing, and that it was a “use it or lose it” type skill.
Discriminating based on length of unemployment is like those insurance companies that charge more (or wont insure you at all) if you are currently uninsured. You’re damned and double-damned!
If Ga wants this trend to disappear, maybe it should a tax break to hire someone who is down on their luck. Companies have no soul, morality or accountability so they must be given a bottom line benefit to do the right thing.
I think the companies can use any excuse in the book for using that verbiage. No matter the excuse, it is still heartless.
Sad state of affairs. I suspect it is a miserable, terrifying feeling beyond compare not to be able to make a living.
This is a bit surprising and my 2-cents says it’s unlawful but that won’t make shit bit of difference.
My point is the repugs are for the very most part are the ones responsible for the state of our country and in this case the economy. Millions of dumb bastards across the continent will vote for them again. We are so screwed!
There in lies the problem. Many of the long term unemployed workers have extensive experience. Employers realize that they have to pay for that experience. Most of the unemployed at the beginning of this recession were in their 50s. Why hire someone with a short working life that might cost in higher health care costs when they can hire a 20 or 30 something for much less?