Re: descrimination in the UK when applying for jobs

MN wrote:
>
> I get the feeling a lot of it is just "that's the way it's always been"
> and that people are not even aware of the subconscious reinforcement of
> discrimination that these things can promote, in my opinion.

I suspect you're right. Certainly DOB is something that's always been
asked for in every job application I've ever filled in, and either DOB
or age is considered an essential part of your CV here. It never
occurred to me that this would be illegal in other countries, and
personally I don't see any real reason why it should be[1].

> I asked a few friends yesterday about how they feel about being asked
> DOB when applying for (not even after being hired) a job and they said
> "Well, they might want to see if you are a good fit for the team, and
> are a similar age"... thinking this was a perfectly valid reason. They
> did not think it was odd, or used perhaps for pensions etc. If you take
> a look on gumtree.com, you can find the occasional job ad "young
> attractive person wanted", or "English must be first language".. they
> obviously think this is fine.

Over here, it is. "Young attractive person" sounds a little dicey, but
it's subjective. I can imagine the tribunal now "They wouldn't hire me
'cos I'm a bit of a munter." The English as first language requirement
seems totally reasonable. I've known a number of people - and you only
need to call any outsourced call centre to see my point here - who are
absolutely fluent in English as a language, but you still can't
understand a word they say under their thick regional accent[2].


[1] This opinion is subject to change when I turn 40 or start having
problems getting jobs because of my age :-)

[2] This also applies to some English dialects - Scottish, geordie,
brummie and texan are all dialects I have trouble understanding - and
my mum was a brummie!

.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: "reason is because"?
    ... We must say "the reason is that ... ... Well, Hillary also said "between Obama and I", as I recall. ... between you and I is not standard English, ... _Webster's Dictionary of English Usage_ ...
    (alt.usage.english)
  • Re: "reason is because"?
    ... We must say "the reason is that ... ... So while watching the "debate" between Obama and Clinton ... between you and I is not standard English, ... _Webster's Dictionary of English Usage_ ...
    (alt.usage.english)
  • Re: Mystery passive
    ... and that is probably key to the reason why that form was ... This assertion receives-the-act-of ... English simply does not have a direct equivalent. ... on the recipient is to emphasise their grievance. ...
    (sci.lang.japan)
  • Re: Try to calculate Your choroscope by substracting 6 years from
    ... making horoscope in a way I suggested that it is better. ... ignored partly for that reason and partly for the reason I gave above. ... If english is not your first language then good on you for posting here. ...
    (talk.origins)
  • Re: book recommendation
    ... have been translated into idiosyncratic English by Fallaci ... power in this context, in the sense of the power or potential of reason rather than force as in "the force of gravity" (forza de gravita) so this suggests that she thought of forza in the latter sense. ...
    (alt.support.arthritis)