New York City Adopts Jobless Anti-Discrimination Law

On Wednesday  New York City voted to approve a bill which would prohibit employers from discriminating against those job seekers and applicants who are unemployed. In three months New York City will join three other cities across the United States making such Jobless Anti-Discrimination Laws. The law in NYC will be the only one also allowing jobless job seekers to sue employers over potential discrimination.

There seems to be both positive and negative responses to this measure, with many unemployed individuals hoping this will open doors for employment while many business are fearful of the lawsuits that might come about from those who aren’t hired as a result of suspected discrimination. Hiring should be based on developed skill sets, and while years out of the job might make someone rusty in some areas it strengthens them in others and they should not be overlooked simply for being unemployed.

Written by Georgianna Dolan-Reilly, LMSW
SJS Staff Writer