The Oldest Employment Rule
The oldest employment rule is simple: it’s better to have a job when looking for another job. Most people would agree with this, except perhaps those who need to close one door before opening another, or those caught in the crossfire of structural changes in the economy.
The Impact of the Great Recession
Fast forward to today, in the aftermath of the Great Recession. Employers are now taking this rule to new extremes, as highlighted in a recent New York Times article: Help Wanted Ads Exclude the Long-Term Jobless.
Understanding the Employer’s Point of View
While it’s understandable that employers may be hesitant to hire the long-term unemployed—especially out of concern for potential incompetence—there’s something fundamentally wrong with denying someone work just because they’re not currently employed. This trend started with the rise of credit checks as a tool for filtering out job applicants, and it’s now spreading even further.
Beyond the Surface: The Human Cost
Let’s dig a little deeper here. People who have been unemployed for an extended period often still need or want to work, even if they rely on public assistance. Denying them the opportunity to contribute can lead to serious mental or emotional challenges, or worse, the loss of their basic dignity.
The Role of Employers in Upholding Dignity
Large employers and their leadership teams need to ask themselves whether the concept of “the dignity of work” still exists within their companies. If it doesn’t, it becomes far easier for HR professionals and lawyers to set “current employment” as a requirement for job consideration.
A Leadership Responsibility
We must never forget that behind every law and rule are human beings. Yes, it’s hard to see sometimes, but the dignity of work should be a core leadership responsibility.