Even though the unemployment rate seems to be stuck at 9.1%, it's much worse than that in some states. The New York Times reports that unemployment in the South is actually higher than a year ago in some states. South Carolina has gone up to 11.1% and the West continues to be hard hit with double-digit unemployment rates in some locations.
Given that unemployment isn't budging and jobs aren't being created at anywhere near the rate the economy needs to grow, discrimination against the unemployed continues to be an issue. It has even more of an impact when you factor in age.
Take a look at our employment discrimination stories and age discrimination stories to get an idea of what your job search can be like when you are unemployed. Here are just a few examples of unemployed workers who have been discriminated against:
- I Have Had Just One Interview
- Laid Off for Two Years
- Not One Phone Call
- You Can't Get a Job Because You Don't Have a Job
President Obama's jobs bill, The American Jobs Act, would help protect those who are unemployed from discrimination. If passed, it would be an unlawful employment practice for a business with 15 or more employees refused to hire a person because they are unemployed.
Even though the legislation is well intentioned, given the number of applicants for every job, unemployment discrimination can be hard to prove. That said, it would, at least, help prevent employers from blatant discrimination against job seekers like those who state that "applicants must be currently employed" in job postings.
Related: Employment Discrimination Laws | Unemployment Benefits | Collect Unemployment | Qualify for Unemployment
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