Employment search may not be an easy task. However, as there is a low unemployment rate in the USA it might be a little easier now. The process itself may not be so enjoyable though. The illegal job posting is so hard to spot sometimes, that it may remain unnoticed. The basics may be clear for most of you, but the reality may be quite different. Discrimination is not allowed when it comes to posting job offers. Reporting it is essential to eliminate this injustice. If you are suitable for the job, there cannot be any discrimination regardless of your color, gender, race, age, religion, national origin, and so on.
Some states may even make employers let you know the wage you could have in that job. This will allow workers to choose the jobs they need depending on their future income. Otherwise, they could be somehow forced to accept something they ignored. Telling the difference between a job that could be really annoying and something that is illegal could be a real challenge. It does not matter if this is your first employment search or if you are new to this field.
Is employment discrimination on the basis of protected classes illegal?
Discrimination in any employment due to race, color, religion, national origin, and sex is prohibited. Therefore, it is something illegal according to the Civil Rights Act of 1991. Employers cannot advertise offers of employment that give preference to someone. It is not possible for employers to write something that puts off a particular group of people based on the aforementioned protected classes. Keep in mind that pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity are on this list too. Of course, discrimination against people with a disability is also illegal. They cannot reject someone because of their age or genetic information either.
So, to cut a long story short, employers cannot tell the characteristics an employee must have regarding the protected class. Mainly, because it is illegal. They may look for someone that has a master’s degree but not someone who has just gotten a master’s degree. This would be benefiting those who are younger because they are more likely to have just obtained it. The Equal Opportunity Employment Commission or EEOC is in charge of this and they work to prevent this sort of injustice from happening.
Do these things apply to recruitment strategies or interview questions?
The Equal Opportunity Employment Commission standards also make reference to other employment recruitment situations. It does not matter if they are recruitment strategies, job interviews, job referrals, or any other process. Employers can only use questions that have nothing to do with sex, color, race, age, religion, disability, genetic information, and so on. Most companies have human resources personnel and know about this. Thus, it is unlikely that they do not follow these rules.
Depending on where you live the salary must be stated, so check that before looking for a job. If you come across an offer of employment and it does something that is illegal, you can report it. There are two possibilities. First of all, you can contact the Department of Labour in your state. Then, they will take good care of it. On the other hand, the EEOC may be also willing to help you make a complaint about it.