I’m currently in Portland, Oregon and saw a news report on TV about this story. It concerns the growing practice of employers insisting that applicants must be currently employed. A California lawmaker, Democrat Mike Allen, wants to forbid this practice.
I understand why some unemployed workers might feel discriminated against when they see such ads. However, I also fully understand the position of the employers placing the “must be currently employed” tag in their ads. Fact is, with a large supply of available workers and a small demand for work, it’s most certainly an employers’ market right now. When advertising for lower-skilled jobs right now, an employer may very well be getting hundreds, if not thousands, of applications. All things being equal, if you have two applicants with equal skills and experience but one is employed and the other is not, most employers would logically feel it less risky to hire the employed person. That might not be “fair” but it is reality.
Congressman Allen can enact this law if he wants but it won’t make any difference. The employers insistent on the “currently employed” requirement will just be forced to accept all resumes but will then most likely discard those who are unemployed. All Allen’s bill will do is cost the companies more money, lowering their profits, and thus reduce the number of people they can hire. Another feel good law that accomplishes nothing of value. And further evidence why more government in our lives is a bad thing.