As this video says, discriminating against unemployed job applicants is currently legal; however, momentum is building to
make it illegal, with the House and Senate introducing and President Obama
endorsing legislation to ban the practice.
Now, one of the top online job listings sites has banned discriminatory job listings:
A company spokesperson confirmed late yesterday that Indeed.com has "implemented measures to block ads identified as discriminating against the unemployed" from being posted.
Indeed’s Director of Communications, Sophie Beaurpere, issued the following statement:
“Indeed.com strives to provide the best job search experience for job seekers. 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.”
As long as there's no legal remedy for unemployed job seekers who have experienced discrimination, companies can still discriminate without fear. But now they can't do it openly at one major outlet, and as the issue draws increased attention, employers have to think twice about whether they risk having their discriminatory practices exposed to a public that really disapproves.