Is this discrimination in hiring private school teachers? Is it legal?

Question

I have called to interview for a job, and left three messages. I recently found out that the principal has no intentions of calling me for an interview because I have 5 children. His position is that there is no way I can handle a teaching job as a mother of five children.

Isn't this discrimination? Does he have the right to refuse me an application based on my private life, not even immoral private life? Does it matter that it is a private non-profit school, as opposed to a public-government-run school?

I wouldn't sue or anything, I'm just kind of frustrated.

Answer 1

It is, INDEED, discimination. But it is not illegal discrimination. The statutory guarantees against discimination apply to race, creed, national origin, etc., etc. But NOT how many kids you have.

That said, the principal is a discourteous old lout for not simply telling you his concerns.

PS: I see at least one respondent who seems to think that the employer is somehow not allowed to use your personal life as grounds for not hiring. He's just flat, wrong. The issue of personal life applies more to what happens AFTER you've been hired in states which don't observe the "employee at will" legal provisions -which basically say that an employer doesn't need any reason to fire an employee, they can fire them for any reason or NO reason, the sole exceptions being discimination which is forbidden by statute: race, creed, etc. And, where your personal life would reflect poorly on the employer, your employment contract may specifically spell out those conditions that could get you fired.

OK?

Answer 2

Yeah, it's discrimination if the facts are as you say. But proving that the principal didn't hire you for that specific reason is going to be difficult without something in writing or some very credible witnesses. I know it makes you mad, but the best advice is: Don't beat a dead horse. In other words, trying to prove your case isn't worth the effort it will take. You're not going to get the job so forget it, move on. It will be more profitable in the long run. Vengence is the Lord's, and the mafia's.

Answer 3

Apparently he expects you to take work home from school and complete your job there where your attention will be distracted by the kids. To the best of my knowledge there is no law preventing this as, for example, we do not even have "marital status" discrimination statutes. And private schools have even more freedom to do this than public. I would think it is a pretty piss poor job if it impacts your private life that much.
OTOH, my wife suggests that it might be gender discrimination unless they also refuse to hire men with 5 kids.

Answer 4

That is an absolute disgrace. How do you know he said this? If you really wanted the job you should complain to someone at a higher level as it is complete and utter discrimination. Mothers are extremely capable workers and the best multi-taskers out there! Not to mention that you have alot of experience with children and discipline!

Answer 5

Since it is privately owned and operated then yes he probably has the right to refuse employement as he sees fit.. where as in a public school people are hired not by principal but by school board ( at least where i live).. however i do think it is unfair to you not to even be considered solely by the amount of children you have. but employers look into private lives these days, and theres nothing we can do about it.

Answer 6

Is the person who told you this information a credible source? It's hearsay until you hear it from the horses mouth.

Since they are a private school, they may have "private" status. I believe they can discriminate. I know private corporations can limit stock offerings to certain individuals, I imagine there is a provision for jobs as well.

Answer 7

If the only reason that they will interview you is because of your person life then yes it is discrimination. There may be other reasons that they may choose not to interview but if you do decide to pursue legal action it will be difficult to prove that you were not chosen because of your personal life.

Answer 8

What is the big deal, 30 in the classroom and 5 more at home?

Answer 9

this is probably not legal but it's also probably not worth your time, you don't wanna work with someone like that anyway... i've been turned down based on how i look, like when i walk in and ask for an application they look at me and say no, and instead of getting frustrated i just decide that i don't want to work with people like that anyway.

Answer 10

I don't think that's discrimination just because discrimination is defined by law and I don't think number of children is in that definition. Also, you'll never prove it.