Does Florida's willful hire law open the door to unchecked job discrimination?

Question

I am a Florida resident,unfortunately unemployed,who is repeatedly being turned down for jobs that I am highly qualified for.I am usually given no feasable explanation for the denial.I am starting to think that this state condones job discrimination and is NOT doing what it can to HELP people like me who WANT and NEED to work.

Answer 1

if you are qualified than you should have no trouble finding work. The state butts in our business enough without having to make sure you have a job, there plenty of opportunities here you have to look. I usually see this from people who just moved here and compare to "up north" well it is a slower pace , different culture.

Answer 2

Maybe the employer doesn't share your opinion that you are highly qualified - or maybe you've just been running into bad luck and the places where you've interviewed have found someone even MORE qualified.

I assume you are talking about employment at will, which actually has to do with termination, not hire. And an employer can hire whoever they want for a job, as long as they don't base their decision on something like gender or race. They could hire someone totally unqualified just because they're somebody's nephew, and while not real smart, it's legal.

Legally, the term "discrimination" only relates to decisions made based on someone's membership in a legally protected category, like race, gender, age over 40, religion and a couple others. If they just don't feel you are the person they want to hire, they have every right not to hire you, and don't have to give you a reason for the denial.

Since you mention "discrimination" it sounds like maybe you have some idea why they aren't hiring you. If it's something you can change, maybe you should consider changing it even if you don't think you should have to. I once knew someone who wore an old cowboy hat all the time, including to apply for jobs, and then told me he thought people weren't hiring him because of the hat. I told him yes, he was probably right - but if he wanted to get hired, ditch the hat when applying for jobs. Is it possible you are running into a similar situation?

Answer 3

Employers are not required to hire all qualified applicants and are usually not required to give any explanation. Some EXCEPTIONS to the rule include (1) anyone taking adverse action based on the content of a credit report must disclose that, and (2) discrimination based on gender, religion, etc., is illegal. Discrimination on any basis not specifically prohibited by law is legal. Any employee can even decide who to hire or not hire completely at random, by flipping a coin.

Answer 4

Most states are now "employment at will" states, where one can be fired without notice or reason.
As for hiring discrimination goes, it is hugely difficult to prove. Companies don't have to hire you if you don't fit their criteria for whatever reason, regardless of your qualifications. Hell, the interviewer may not like your tie, for christsake, or the length of your hair, or even bad breath.
Just remember what happened in FL over the 2000 election. The state is still in the Deep South even though there are now protective laws. It's a funny place, for sure.

Answer 5

Depending on your qualifications, experience and appearance, you should be able to get hired somewhere. You need to look on your own but also register at several employment agencies; I registered at five and called them every week; I also applied online.
Be sure you have a professional demeanor when applying and that your appearance is up to par; they do judge on appearance over almost every other consideration and they CAN get away with blatant discrimination because it is IMPOSSIBLE to prove discrimination.

Answer 6

If you feel you have been discriminated against for a VALID reason (Age, race, sexual orientation, martial status, disability), than contact your local EEOC office and file a claim.

-HR Girl