ARTICLE
27 August 2014

Ditch The Gender-Based Assumptions When Hiring

Dori Stibolt was featured in the Corporate Counsel’s article, "Ditch the Gender-Based Assumptions When Hiring."
United States Employment and HR

Dori Stibolt was featured in the Corporate Counsel's article, "Ditch the Gender-Based Assumptions When Hiring." Full text can be found in the August 15, 2014, issue, but a synopsis is below.

In December of 2013, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission took on a case, which involved a grocery story that refused to hire a woman as a courtesy van driver, considering the position not safe for a female, and instead gave the position to a male candidate. The case recently settled for $10,500 and the enforcement of a formal companywide antidiscrimination policy. The company also agreed to train all its managers, supervisors and employees on pertinent sections of the Civil Rights Act and report to the EEOC every six months on discrimination.

Stibolt reports on the case in her South Florida Trial Practice blog, "Gender Based Hiring – Beware of the Assumption Trap," saying: "Gender-based assumptions in hiring and promotions can quickly lead to claims for sex discrimination."

While it may seem shocking to even have to explain it, "an employer hiring for a construction position may screen out applicants who are unable to lift and carry items of a certain weight ... [but] an employer should not assume that women cannot fulfill that employment requirement," she adds.

Click here to view Stibolt's full blog post.

The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.

Mondaq uses cookies on this website. By using our website you agree to our use of cookies as set out in our Privacy Policy.

Learn More