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Employment discrimination because not having a degree?
Anonymous4 views4 answers
Employers and Employment agencies across NJ recently jumped on the band wagon of denying applicant employment -or advise that you Don't meet the qualifications if you do not have a degree. .
Even if you've been doing the same job for 20years.
Here's the ad as advertised:
[ We have an entry-level openings for Customer Service position available for upcoming and recent graduates at a warehouse facility in the Woodbridge area. Bachelor's Degree is a Must have requirement. $15.00 - $19.00 hourly. ]
If an applicant is denied employment because he or she had a lifetime of responsibilities - who was unable to attend college. NOW may risk loosing their home or they're apartment - from being denied the job because -a degree is now required for lower waged employment.
Sorry, but not having a college degree is not considered a "protected class" that is protected by either state or federal law. In other words, you cannot bring a discrimination lawsuit where the motivation of the employer (or potential employer) is the lack of a college degree.
Employers have freedom to set the standards and qualifications for employment in their businesses. As close to an absolute as there is in private sector employment.
A wise employer will see the value in experience, but no law compels them to. In the end, it's their business and they can evaluate qualifications any virtually any manner they choose.
I agree with the other lawyers here. I certainly sympathize with the fact you do not have college degree. However, a private employer is free to set non-discriminatory qualifications for employment. My advice: if you think you're qualified for a job even without the degree, apply anyway. Somebody may interview you and see the value of your experience.
