Unemployed Need Not Apply? WTF?

A message from CREDO Action:
We have a jobs crisis in this country that has kicked millions of Americans out of work through no fault of their own. But that hasn't stopped job listing websites like Monster.com and CareerBuilder.com from allowing "help wanted" ads that tell unemployed people they won't be considered for the job.

There's something fundamentally unfair and perverse about telling unemployed people they can't apply for a job simply because they don't have one already.

New Jersey has already outlawed this type of discrimination against the jobless, and a bill has been introduced in Congress to follow suit. But whether or not it's still technically legal, it's still just plain wrong. And the major job listing sites shouldn't be a party to it.

Tell Monster.com, CareerBuilder.com and other job listing sites to stop allowing discrimination against the unemployed. Click here to automatically sign our petition.

A recent article in the New York Times showed that this type of discrimination is rampant.¹ But if the big job sites refuse to run these discriminatory ads, it would go a long way towards ending this unfair practice.

We know that the job sites are susceptible to public pressure, so it's vital that we all speak out.

After our friends at TrueMajority/USAction launched this campaign, Monster.com sent them a cease and desist letter.² Our friends responded:

"USAction will not 'cease and desist' telling the world about hiring discrimination against the unemployed, about companies that engage in this practice, and about online job posting firms that enable it. And that includes Monster.com, who should simply refuse ads from employers who openly discriminate against the unemployed."

We're proud to join them and turn the heat up on Monster.com and other job listing site, and take a stand for the millions of Americans who don't have a job. We hope you'll join us.

Tell Monster.com, CareerBuilder.com and other job listing sites not to allow discrimination against the unemployed. Click here to automatically sign our petition.

Thank you for speaking out.

Matt Lockshin, Campaign Manager
CREDO Action from Working Assets

1. "The Help-Wanted Sign Comes With a Frustrating Asterisk," Catherine Rampell, New York Times, 07-25-2011.
2. "Monster.com Says It Won't Ban Third-Party Ads That Discourage Job Applications From The Unemployed ," Jordan Howard, Huffington Post, 08-12-11