Looking for Help-Advice in a Case of Blatant Sexual Discrimination [View All]

[chlamor]

Yesterday a friend asked for some thoughts/advice on this situation and I told her I would post this on DU and pass along to her any advice- words of wisdom that might arise from the discussion group. She has also contacted NOW and as of yet hasn't received a response from them. She is uncertain as to what action to take if any. Any ideas out there?


Here are her words:
I am in my final year of my masters degree in Landscape Architecture at Cornell.
I'm looking for a job, and periodically employers will e-mail our department with
job postings. I was shocked to open one of these a few weeks ago and find that it
is a posting specifically for a man. This is even more outrageous because
graduating with me are eight other women and one man. It is infuriating to think
that I have been working so hard for three years to get this degree, just to face
this kind of job pool. I have experience working on a crew in an arboretum, and my
older sister spent three summers on a Davey Tree company crew installing landscapes.
His claim that women are not strong enough to do this work is ridiculous. I tried
to report this to the better business bureau, but they don't handle discrimination
claims. Since I don't want this job, working in a small company owned by a self
proclaimed sexist, I can't file a lawsuit. Still, I think that somebody needs to be told about
this. I hope that people will respond, or e-mail [e-mail]
to let them know that their behavior is unacceptable. I am including the
original e-mail sent by Alden's Country Gardens, along with my reply to them and
their response. Thanks for looking at this.

The Ad:
>>We are a landscape design/build firm working in Sullivan and Ulster
>County. We are looking for a man who is interested in working in and
>learning about this business.
>>The type of work we do varies from envisioning and designing gardens and
>landscapes to installing the hardscaping (bluestone patios, walks,
>retaining walls, pergolas, decks, pools etc.) to planting and maintaining
>gardens, installing drip irrigation and landscape lighting.
>>We need someone in good physical shape, willing to work from 8am to 6 pm, >Monday
through Friday. Our season starts in April and goes through
>November, but if you are available only for the summer break, please
>contact us anyway, since our crew is usually bigger in the middle of the
>season.
>>You will be paid on the books every week starting at $10/hour. We provide >health
insurance and pay 50% of the premiums. (Your cost is about $22/wk
>for full coverage.) Most of our crew receive a bonus at the end of the
>season, depending on the profitability of the company and the excellence
>of their work.
>>If you are interested, please give us a call at 845-985-0351
>Or email us at [e-mail].
>>Thank you for your interest.
>> >Alden Thayer

Her Response:
I saw your job posting. just so you know, it has been illegal to
> advertise for a specific gender to fill a job for a few decades now.>

Thank you for your advice, but in as much as this job entails a lot of heavylifting,
I do not intend to hire a woman. Would you rather I waste the time and the hopes of
otherwisecompetant women in having them apply only to be inexplicably rejected?
Whatever the law may be, Ithink I am sparing a lot of good people a lot of
unnecessary hassle in being up front about our needs.
Alden Thayer-----