Jobs Site Blocks Ads that Discriminate Against the Unemployed

by Jess Kutch · 2011-08-31 10:25:00 UTC
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This is what momentum looks like. Indeed.com - one of the largest job sites in the world - has decided to block ads that discriminate against the unemployed from appearing on its website. This follows a statement by President Obama on Tuesday that he supports federal legislation protecting the unemployed from being denied jobs simply because they are unemployed.

Kelly Wiedemer, an unemployed business analyst in Colorado, started the campaign after learning that employers were posting job ads on sites like Indeed.com, Monster.com and Careerbuilder excluding unemployed job-seekers from applying. Less than 15 days after Kelly launched her campaign, Indeed.com provided Change.org with the following statement:

“Indeed.com strives to provide the best job search experience for job seekers,”  said Sophie Beaurpere, the company’s Director of Communications.  “Our policy is to exclude job listings that do not comply with federal or local laws related to discriminatory hiring practices as well as job listings that discriminate against the unemployed.”

More than 2,200 people have left comments on the petition, many detailing the hardships of looking for work in this economy.

Change.org user Phyllis Anderson of Kansas commented, “For the first time in my life, I have not been able to find a job.  I have been in the workforce for over 40 years and have two degrees.  I have been actively involved in my search for employment and have taken on temp work when available...  It is unfair for anyone to say that they will not hire the unemployed as so many people are now unemployed due to downsizing or jobs being moved out of the country, which is no fault of their own."

Kelly's campaign is part of a larger effort to end discrimination by employers against the unemployed. Since starting her petition on Change.org, Kelly has been joined by several national groups - and now, President Obama - in advocating for an end to this hiring practice.

RELATED PETITION

Monster.com: Ban Job Listings that Discriminate Against the Unemployed
SIGN PETITION
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