I had to go pick up a package at DHL last night. At the front counter were a stack of blank job applications for potential employees to fill out. Across the form’s top were these words:
“The Company does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of race, color, religious creed, national origin, sex or ancestry; nor on the basis of age against persons whose ages are 40 or above…”
I love that! We won’t discriminate against you — as long as you’re over 40? 39-year-olds — you’re screwed!
I know, I know, age discrimination in the workplace is primarily a matter of shuffling off old people. But if you’re not going to discriminate on the basis of age, how can you get away with discriminating on the basis of age in your own non-discrimination policy?
“We won’t discriminate on the basis of religion — unless you’re one of them damned Unitarians! We hate Unitarians!” “We won’t discriminate on the basis of national origin — except for Belgians! Belgians can kiss our ass!”
One thought on “dhl age discrimination”
Comments are closed.
As you’ve surely guessed, there’s a legal reason for that absurd little blurb. The Age Discrimination in Employment Act protects only persons who are 40 or older. I suppose DHL didn’t want to go so far as to commit to a policy of non-discrimination against those 39 and under if it didn’t have to.