Is There a Bias Against Hiring the Jobless?

Workforce Management
Experts contend that employers increasingly discriminate against jobless Americans in hiring decisions, and such practices could violate equal opportunity laws. By Ed Frauenheim
April 2011

Kelly Wiedemer’s job search frustrations peaked last fall. That’s when the 45-year-old Denver-area resident applied for a position that seemed just perfect for her: putting into place the same sort of accounting software she had installed at a previous job.

Wiedemer landed a phone interview the next day with a staffing firm screening for the post. But the fact that she had been out of work for more than two years gave the recruiter pause. “She said, ‘I’m willing to submit your résumé to the hiring manager, but I’ll be honest: Your long-term employment gap is going to be a really tough sell,’ ” Wiedemer recalls.

Full Story: http://www.workforce.com/archive/feature/hr-management/is-there-bias-against-hiring-jobless/index.php

Job Seekers Find Bias Against The Unemployed

NPR
November 17, 2010
by John Ydstie

Unemployed workers face big hurdles as they try to get new jobs in today's economy. First, there's the numbers game: Close to 25 million workers unemployed or under-employed looking for jobs. In fact, there are five unemployed workers for every single job opening in the economy.
Increasingly, though, jobless workers are facing the ultimate barrier. Some employers are saying if you're out of work, we don't want to hire you.

Full Story and Audio: http://www.npr.org/2010/11/16/131367533/some-will-only-hire-if-you-already-have-a-job