Grinding my Gears: Illegal HR Questions
A friend–and occasional client–of mine recently posted this online:
“I always love to be asked if I can use WestLaw or other types of computerized legal research because of my age..I can, frankly, research anything. I have done it before & will continue to…next question was: and, you don’t find computers or apps complicated? I mean, you are OLDER…Um, well, no actually, I teach using mostly iPads and apps. I therefore know something about them. I can also turn on a computer and get past my home screen whilst simultaneously speaking to students. And, what kind of illness did you have again? You do realize that you can not ask me that question, as it violates the ADA. What’s the ADA?”
Argh. So much disgusting, stupid behavior demonstrated here on the part of HR. To wit:
- How is it ever helpful to presume that people of a certain age find computers and apps “complicated?” All you’re doing is showing your ignorance, and ageism. Especially, given how many HR personnel are women, you’d think they would have more empathy: it wasn’t very long ago that men presumed the same thing about our gender. “Honey, are you sure you can work a word processor?” So hey, in one blow, this particular “genius” managed to be both ageist and sexist! And some people say HR is useless…ha! *rolls eyes into next week* Not to mention, as a coach with clients ranging from 18-85, trust me: I personally know people in their twenties who avoid social media like the plague, and are useless online. Meanwhile, I recently had an 84 year-old client who was exceptionally adept at building her online presence. She ended up using that social media branding to get tremendous marketing resources for her art work. Finally, karma’s a bitch, and anyone stupid enough to ask these demeaning questions will not always be 32, and one day they likely be shocked, shocked by someone else’s cruel questions.
- Asking about illness? Really? Oh my lord. Because obviously, once you’ve been sick, you’re damaged property and can never be trusted again. Luckily we don’t have something like the ADA in this country, monitoring that kind of behavior…oh wait. #whompwhomp
- I suppose what truly grinds my gears about these arrogant, thoughtless questions, is that getting your mind right to apply for a job is hard enough, no matter what your age, gender and health. When you commit to your hopes, instead of your fears, and apply for work in good faith and still are confronted by this type of inane behavior…it can be hard to not give up. It can be hard to presume that anyone will ever see you for your humanity(!) and give you a shot. You wouldn’t be alone in feeling discouraged and angry: the last time I personally had to interact with HR, I was so infuriated by that woman’s stupidity, I started my own business. But that’s not an option or even desire for everyone, so when, you have to deal with some aspect of this idiocy…deep breath. Smile. Respond pleasantly, making it clear that you know your value. Don’t lose your temper. You know that there are morons in every organization, and you need a job. Reach out to your college and grad school career service offices to see if they have more resources and jobs, focus on your networking. The point about networking is to have someone on the inside pulling for you, so that you can avoid, more or less, the morons. ABOVE ALL: Other people’s stupidity is not your responsibility. Their cruelty is not about you.
ADA ageism in the interview process bad HR practices dealing with illegal HR activity dealing with illegal interview questions how networking works illegal HR questions to ask interviewing help networking your next job old people online social media ageism social media branding the point of networking westlaw why job hunting sucks why networking works