New York's latest legislation could be good news for unemployed job seekers, as a bill is being passed that would ban unemployment discrimination.
When it's new anti-discrimination laws take effect in 3 months, New York will have some of the widest-reaching legislation in the country. The laws come after lawmakers overrode a veto from the mayor, pointing to some amount of uncertainty on the decision amongst New Yorkers.
"We cannot and will not allow New Yorkers who are qualified and ready to work and looking to work to have the door of opportunity slammed in their faces," pronounces City Council Speaker Christine Quinn.
Crackdowns on unemployment discrimination have become more common in recent years. In 2011 President Obama proposed one on the national scale, and New Jersey, Oregon, and Washington, D.C. have all banned job advertisements from stating that applicants must be employed.
That's not to say that such legislation has been very popular so far, however. So far at least 16 different states have considered such measures without bringing anything into law.
Certainly, not all New Yorkers are happy about this decision. New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg attempted to veto the legislation to no avail. He believes that lawmakers shouldn't try to control how hiring decision gets made, and fears that now many lawsuits will inundate the court system with baseless allegations from disgruntled potential employees. Keith Gutstein, and employment lawyer representing businesses, agrees.
"It is essentially open season on employers in New York City," he remarks.
Regardless of one's stance on the issue, these measures seem to be gaining traction around the country and it may not be long before more stringent legislation is put into place to ensure employment for job-seekers. One thing is for certain though: this is very good news for those with resumes in hand.
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