Rep. Johnson Appears on CBS: 'The Early Show' to Fight for Unemployed Americans

Press Release

Rep. Hank Johnson (D-GA) appeared on CBS' national program "The Early Show' today for a piece on discrimination against unemployed Americans in jobs postings and hiring practices.

"This is un-American, it's unfair and it should not be legal in America to do that," Johnson told The Early Show.

Rep. Johnson has introduced two bills combating discrimination against the unemployed. The Fair Employment Act of 2011, which was introduced in March, would amend the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to protect against discrimination on the basis of unemployment status.

More recently Rep. Johnson, along with his colleague Rosa DeLauro (CT-3), introduced The Fair Employment Opportunity Act, which would fine employers and employment agencies who discriminate against unemployed job-seekers by refusing to consider them for employment.

A recent survey, conducted by the National Employment Law Project (NELP), of four of the top job search Web sites, CareerBuilder.com, Indeed.com, Monster.com, and CraigsList.com, found more than 150 job advertisements that specified applicants must be currently employed. And the Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey shows there are 4.7 unemployed workers for every 1 job opening.

Some advertisements stated that applicants "must be currently employed" or stipulated that "no unemployed candidates will be considered at all." Some ads read, "No layoff candidates considered."

"Discrimination against the unemployed -- especially the long-term unemployed -- in job ads and hiring practices flies in the face of what we stand for as a nation: Equal opportunity for all," said Johnson. "The Fair Employment Opportunity Act of 2011 will help us level the playing field and get people back to work."

For more on Rep. Johnson and his work to fight discrimination against the unemployed, visit the Huffington Post:

March 16, 2011: New Bill Would Ban Discrimination Against The Jobless: Rep. Hank Johnson (D-Ga.) introduced legislation on Wednesday that would add unemployed people to that list of protected groups.

July 12, 2011: Employers Still Ruling Out Jobless Applicants: Report -- In order to even out the playing field in the job market, Reps. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.) and Hank Johnson (D-Ga.) have introduced the Fair Employment Opportunity Act of 2011, which makes it illegal to discriminate against the jobless in a job advertisement or otherwise.

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