Oregon May Ban Job Ads Telling Unemployed Not to Apply

The Oregon House of Representatives voted Monday, 27 February 2012, to ban job advertisements that tell unemployed job seekers to not apply, the Associated Press reports.

The Oregon House approved the bill on a 56-4 vote, sending the measure to Gov. John Kitzhaber.

If the bill becomes law, Oregon’s employers could still simply exclude unemployed job applicants while reviewing resumes. Employers could only violate the new law if they state in a job advertisement that unemployed applicants need not apply.

Violators would face a $1,000 fine.

Proponents of the law say job advertisements specifically excluding unemployed workers discourage people who are struggling to find work. Opponents of the proposed law say they’re concerned about creating new regulation.

Oregon’s unemployment rate was 8.9% in December, higher than the national rate.

Several states have considered similar legislation, and a bill in Congress would prohibit employers from considering an applicant’s employment status.