Discriminatory hiring process?
13 Oct 2024, 6:07 pm
I applied for an entry level position with an IT company several month ago.
I received an email a recently to schedule a virtual interview.
I had applied for this position because I had learned this employer specialized
in hiring those on the spectrum. (I am an adult who received an autism diagnosis in his 30s)
I was taken aback (shocked frankly) that included in the interview request was the following:
I'm delighted to tell you we are currently hiring for an entry-level position and would like you to come in for a chat.
Please note that it's important you have your guardian (not in a legal sense but a trusted person who you turn to for support and one we can regularly correspond with in case your employment with **** is successful) with you during our conversation.
I find this to be an unusual and frankly degrading request. Requesting that one bring a 'guardian' implies they cannot manage their own affairs.
I may utilize disability assistance, but I do manage my own affairs. I live independently. I make all of my own decisions, whether financial or otherwise. I have never been asked by any employer for such an absurd request.
While I realize the company may have it's reasons for having this kind of process, I do feel it is discriminatory.
I called the company and spoke with the individual who sent me the email. I indicated I would agree to an interview though I would not agree to their terms. (I would only be interviewed by myself as I felt other conditions were inappropriate).
The individual from the company explained they would not make an exception.
I later sent them an email and explained my thoughts on what I felt was a discriminatory hiring process.
The nature of gaining employment is that it brings independence. It seems this company -though perhaps with the best of intentions - is taking advantage of those on the spectrum.
What do you think?
13 Oct 2024, 6:42 pm
I received an email a recently to schedule a virtual interview.
I had applied for this position because I had learned this employer specialized
in hiring those on the spectrum. (I am an adult who received an autism diagnosis in his 30s)
I was taken aback (shocked frankly) that included in the interview request was the following:
I'm delighted to tell you we are currently hiring for an entry-level position and would like you to come in for a chat.
Please note that it's important you have your guardian (not in a legal sense but a trusted person who you turn to for support and one we can regularly correspond with in case your employment with **** is successful) with you during our conversation.
I find this to be an unusual and frankly degrading request. Requesting that one bring a 'guardian' implies they cannot manage their own affairs.
I may utilize disability assistance, but I do manage my own affairs. I live independently. I make all of my own decisions, whether financial or otherwise. I have never been asked by any employer for such an absurd request.
While I realize the company may have it's reasons for having this kind of process, I do feel it is discriminatory.
I called the company and spoke with the individual who sent me the email. I indicated I would agree to an interview though I would not agree to their terms. (I would only be interviewed by myself as I felt other conditions were inappropriate).
The individual from the company explained they would not make an exception.
I later sent them an email and explained my thoughts on what I felt was a discriminatory hiring process.
The nature of gaining employment is that it brings independence. It seems this company -though perhaps with the best of intentions - is taking advantage of those on the spectrum.
What do you think?
I'm inclined to say no, not highly discriminatory, but it is strange and I don't know why they can't make an exception when asked. Some sort of legal thingy?
_________________
A stranger, in an alien place.
13 Oct 2024, 7:15 pm
I am inclined to believe that you may have over-reacted. Note that this is just my opinion, and not a personal attack. I was not there, so I don't know what happened other than what you reported.
There were many time when I wished I could have had someone with me, if only to witness the goings-on.
Other times, I have been proud to handle the interview process myself and get hired.
Maybe next time, take someone with you, do the interview, and then go for coffee to debrief with your "escort".
_________________
Double Retired
Veteran
Joined: 31 Jul 2020
Age: 69
Gender: Male
Posts: 5,942
Location: U.S.A. (Mid-Atlantic)
13 Oct 2024, 8:09 pm
I think they are trying to accommodate employees that need a guardian. Which is probably a good thing...they are trying to help.
Just tell them that you don't have or need a guardian and will represent yourself.
_________________
When diagnosed I bought champagne!
I finally knew why people were strange.
13 Oct 2024, 9:11 pm
Probably because autistic people are known to have a tendency to be bad at job interviews, thus failing to get hired even if they are the best-qualified person in the entire world.
Seems to me the point of the requirement is an attempt to compensate for that tendency, thereby making it more likely that you would get hired, if indeed you are qualified.
Still, I agree that they should be willing to make exceptions, if requested.
_________________
- Autistic in NYC - Resources and new ideas for the autistic adult community in the New York City metro area.
- Autistic peer-led groups (via text-based chat, currently) led or facilitated by members of the Autistic Peer Leadership Group.
- My Twitter / "X" (new as of 2021)
Today, 7:33 am
Trying to help is a good thing unless you screw it up so badly that you actually get in the way, which is what these people have done.
Whether or not what they did is legally discrimination, they've done the OP a favour in my opinion. As an autistic person I wouldn't touch that company with a twenty-foot pole.
In fact, I'm out on the web right now, to see if I can identify the company based on the scant information provided!
Today, 7:42 am
I received an email a recently to schedule a virtual interview.
I had applied for this position because I had learned this employer specialized
in hiring those on the spectrum. (I am an adult who received an autism diagnosis in his 30s)
I was taken aback (shocked frankly) that included in the interview request was the following:
I'm delighted to tell you we are currently hiring for an entry-level position and would like you to come in for a chat.
Please note that it's important you have your guardian (not in a legal sense but a trusted person who you turn to for support and one we can regularly correspond with in case your employment with **** is successful) with you during our conversation.
I find this to be an unusual and frankly degrading request. Requesting that one bring a 'guardian' implies they cannot manage their own affairs.
I may utilize disability assistance, but I do manage my own affairs. I live independently. I make all of my own decisions, whether financial or otherwise. I have never been asked by any employer for such an absurd request.
While I realize the company may have it's reasons for having this kind of process, I do feel it is discriminatory.
I called the company and spoke with the individual who sent me the email. I indicated I would agree to an interview though I would not agree to their terms. (I would only be interviewed by myself as I felt other conditions were inappropriate).
The individual from the company explained they would not make an exception.
I later sent them an email and explained my thoughts on what I felt was a discriminatory hiring process.
The nature of gaining employment is that it brings independence. It seems this company -though perhaps with the best of intentions - is taking advantage of those on the spectrum.
What do you think?
I'm on your side.
The fact that the company would offer you the chance to bring someone to the interview with you is both reasonable and good.
But the idea that they should make it compulsory, with no exceptions, is outrageous.
Today, 9:50 am
This is completely unreasonable. Where are you supposed to even get a guardian/carer? Many people with Aspergers/Autism do not have much in the way of a social life or supportive family.
If they consider it compulsory to attend with your guardian, (unless they have screwed up somewhere as mentioned in other posts), it probably means that they do not want to speak to you personally. I'd would take that as a sign that they are to be avoided as an employer.
Double Retired
Veteran
Joined: 31 Jul 2020
Age: 69
Gender: Male
Posts: 5,942
Location: U.S.A. (Mid-Atlantic)
Today, 4:12 pm
After further reflection...
If they are organized to seek new employees needing a guardian then it logically follows all (or almost all) of their new employees do need a guardian.
I wonder what working in that environment would be like for the rare employee who does not need a guardian.
_________________
When diagnosed I bought champagne!
I finally knew why people were strange.
24 minutes ago
Actually, I will name the company because at this point - I do not care.
I do not want anyone to seek out this company and send them nasty messages
based on their feelings about this.
Please don't do that.
The company is named 'Technology North' and you can find them through google.
You can see in their media section of their website how they push the autism narrative.
