Discrimination against the unemployed

August 12, 2012 3:41 PM

It's illegal in this country to discriminate on the basis of sex, race or age -- but are there any protections for the long-term unemployed?


by cerichcreek August 14, 2012 12:25 PM EDT: As someone who is currently unemployed (2.5 months) and searching for a job, I can honestly say that one of the questions I am asked in an interview is what have I been doing for the last 2 months. TWO MONTHS! Everyone knows that it takes some time to find a job! AS an experienced Medical Transcriptionist I see "1-2 years CURRENT experience in (whatever specialty)" on one hand I can see that they want someone who is currently working in that area but on the other hand I'm thinking, "seriously, other than a very few advances in routine medical and emergency care, how much different can it be??"; Reply to this comment


by MorrisTownson August 13, 2012 10:57 AM EDT: Yes, I a 50 year old from middle management was out of work for a long period of time. Even though I worked part-time and consulting jobs, but nothing full time, I was turned down because I was not currently employed.

Since other friends were experiencing the same rejections we decided to create a company. We created business cards, letter head and a story as to the nature of the business. We put this information on our resumes. When potential employers called our "company" to ask about our "employment" one of our friends would answer the questions. This finally got us all employment.

You do what you have to do to protect your family.; Reply to this comment

60 Minutes Overtime is a weekly web show that begins where the weekly television broadcast ends

Dispatches

CBS News on Facebook