is it true that Single people are discriminated against? (reputation, company, fired)

[deanwichester]

Pre-Employment Inquiries and Marital Status or Number of Children

Questions about marital status and number and ages of children are frequently used to discriminate against women and may violate Title VII if used to deny or limit employment opportunities.


It is clearly discriminatory to ask such questions only of women and not men (or vice-versa). Even if asked of both men and women, such questions may be seen as evidence of intent to discriminate against, for example, women with children.


Generally, employers should not use non job-related questions involving marital status, number and/or ages of children or dependents, or names of spouses or children of the applicant. Such inquiries may be asked after an employment offer has been made and accepted if needed for insurance or other legitimate business purposes.
The following pre-employment inquiries may be regarded as evidence of intent to discriminate when asked in the pre-employment context:

• Whether applicant is pregnant.
• Marital status of applicant or whether applicant plans to marry.
• Number and age of children or future child bearing plans.
• Child care arrangements.
• Employment status of spouse.
• Name of spouse.

[Tober138]

Originally Posted by Hopes

single people without children are discriminated against when it comes to lay offs.

After reading so many threads on here, it seems that anyone can find an argument as to how one particular demographic (age, race, marital status, etc.) is discriminated against in some way or another.

I'm sure there is an anecdote somewhere that would support the theory that lesbian, left-handed, albino eskimos are discriminated against.

[D. Scott]

Originally Posted by Tober138

After reading so many threads on here, it seems that anyone can find an argument as to how one particular demographic (age, race, marital status, etc.) is discriminated against in some way or another.

I'm sure there is an anecdote somewhere that would support the theory that lesbian, left-handed, albino eskimos are discriminated against.

Tober138, You are right. There are so many views and variables that I guess if he/she who has the power to hire thinks marital status/whatever is the whole story then there may not be any "right" answer. it's a double-edged sword.

[BJW50]

The closest I've ever been asked about my family status was if there was anything that would impair my ability to work the hours required. I do think it's the best interest of employers to avoid non-job related questions.

[hopefulone]

Originally Posted by deanwichester

Most of the jobs available don't require knowledge of nuclear physics, or require a person to be a brain surgeon.

There are lots of well-paying white collar jobs where you can be hired/ promoted based on whom you know, or what ethnic group/ which church you go to etc.

People who deny this fact are either:
naive
or
part of the old boys club, so they are obviously going to deny it.

I am not the kind to make personal attacks or bring politics in the unemployment forum, but you seem like the kind who believes that nepotism/sexism/racism does not happen. That it is scam by ambulance-chasing lawyers and people should pull themselves up by the boot straps.

This.

[ma5cmpb]

I think that single people are discriminated against in the workplace, not by the employer but other employees. A lot of people think that you have nothing to do after work. For example, i had people who tried to trade shifts with me assuming that i had nothing to do after work since i was single. They say things like "well you dont have any kids" lol

[Mystique13]

Some of us "single people" have second jobs, or two other additional jobs. Some of us have aging parents or other family to take care of. So no, the whole "let's trade shifts" or "can you cover so I can go to my kid's baseball game" thing is not ever going to happen. Now if my coworker has a really good relationship with me, maybe I can help once in a while. But no, I am not a doormat to anyone. It's "I do a favor for you, but I expect the same from you when I ask for one." It all depends on the relationship with the coworker. If someone arrogantly assumes that my single status requires me to be their doormat all the time, forget it. No way. Find another fool.

[hopefulone]

Originally Posted by ma5cmpb

I think that single people are discriminated against in the workplace, not by the employer but other employees. A lot of people think that you have nothing to do after work. For example, i had people who tried to trade shifts with me assuming that i had nothing to do after work since i was single. They say things like "well you dont have any kids" lol

I agree.

[Glasvegas]

I've personally witnessed it a lot. Most people at work talk about their kids & partners and little or nothing else. In general, many people seem to have the notion that there's something wrong with you if you're not married with children by a certain age.

[redroses777]

I really think it depends on what part of the country you are in and if you live in a small town or not.

For example, in my small, hick town in Indiana, you are considered an outsider if you aren't married with kids by 18. Teen pregnancy is very common. I knew a woman who started having kids at 13.

In Indianapolis, it is perfectly acceptable to be single in your early 30s.

In Arizona, no one would have ever asked me about being single, because no one in the Western U.S. cares about marital status. It was completely common in AZ to be single at 35.