IBM pulls job ad after age questions raised

[OhioChick]

Sep. 7, 2013

ESSEX JUNCTION, VT. — IBM says it has taken down a job posting that raised questions about age discrimination about six weeks after it laid off 419 employees at the Essex Junction plant.

The advertisement was for entry-level development engineers in Essex Junction and in Albany and Hopewell Junction and required that "all applicants must have graduation dates of January 2010 or later."

IBM Spokesman Doug Shelton said Friday that the posting was a thoughtless mistake.

He said it would be pulled down and replaced.

An employee group called Alliance@IBM alerted media outlets, including the Burlington Free Press, to the ad on Friday.

http://www.poughkeepsiejournal.com/viewart/20130907/BUSINESS01/130907015/IBM-pulls-job-ad-after-age-questions-raised

[djean111]

1. Yeah, all they usually do is select out that information from submitted resumes.

This was a slip, but the age discrimination is, of course, still in place.

[BlueToTheBone]

2. You've been warned, job seekers

don't be old!

[LibDemAlways]

3. Thoughtless mistake, my ass.

When my then 59 year old husband lost his job 3 years ago and was out pounding the pavement, he was repeatedly told job openings were for "new graduates" or for those with 3-5 years experience only. Apparently that language passes muster even though it translates to "No one over 30 need apply." Age discrimination pure and simple.

[antigop]

4. "A thoughtless mistake"...yeah, that they got caught. nt

[BlueJazz]

5. There's a simple, logical solution to this Age discrimination thingy.

Just wait until you're 55 to go to college.



edit: spelling

[DCBob]

6. They may have pulled the ad but the intention remains.

They will just find a less obvious way to discriminate against older workers.