Wandering through San Jose yesterday I saw (not for the first time) a sign in a store window advertising that they were looking for an employee. The sign read “Wanted, young attractive female.” I giggled to myself because in the U.S. (and elsewhere I assume) when placing an ad for personnel, there are strict guidelines of what you can advertise for. Advertising for a “young, attractive female” would quickly get you reported to some sort of labor board and you’d be subsequently fined and probably forced to hire an “old, unattractive male”.
But when you think about it, in theory, it’s a bit ridiculous. If a business wants a young attractive female employee, regardless of the law, that’s what they’re going to hire. Sure they may accept applications from everyone and conduct some interviews, but in the end the young hottie is the one that’s going to get the job.
Sure, there should be laws to protect potential employees from any sort of discrimination, but I have to say, I can kinda’ appreciate the what-you-see-is-what-you get mentality here.