Stop Free Consulting as Part of the Interview Process
The Issue
As individuals who have experienced the harsh realities of job hunting in recent years, we understand the struggles faced by many.
The years 2023 and 2024 saw a significant number of layoffs in experienced, skilled labor sectors, leading to fierce competition in the job market.
Employers have taken advantage of this situation by subjecting candidates to multiple interviews and requiring them to complete unpaid projects as part of the interview selection process.
Many individuals find out they are ghosted afterward or have not been selected despite positive feedback from the panel. In many instances, some have seen their work be used.
This practice is not only unethical but also exploitative, as it essentially involves extracting free labor or consulting services from desperate job seekers. The purpose of this petition is to implore our legislators to step up and address this issue to protect us from this practice.
We are calling for legislation that makes any project beyond a 15-minute assessment during a job interview process punishable by a fine starting at USD $1000. Under the Department of Labor regulations, some states already have some legislation under the minimum wage hourly rate laws. There might be some form of amendment made to these laws that will ensure that companies cannot exploit candidates under the guise of assessing their skills or suitability for a role or use their consulting work without any plans to hire them. If an organization requires free work as part of the interview/hiring process beyond a 15-minute assessment, the organization doing the hiring must pay the candidate for their market rate time. An example of this would be if an organization is expecting PowerPoint or essay questions beyond what could be answered in 15 minutes.
The current system is unfair, unethical, and unsustainable - it places an undue burden on already struggling individuals while allowing companies to benefit from free labor and consulting. With your support, we can bring about change and create a fairer employment landscape for all.
Please sign this petition if you believe in fair hiring practices and want our legislators to take action against these exploitative practices.
Petition Closed
The Issue
As individuals who have experienced the harsh realities of job hunting in recent years, we understand the struggles faced by many.
The years 2023 and 2024 saw a significant number of layoffs in experienced, skilled labor sectors, leading to fierce competition in the job market.
Employers have taken advantage of this situation by subjecting candidates to multiple interviews and requiring them to complete unpaid projects as part of the interview selection process.
Many individuals find out they are ghosted afterward or have not been selected despite positive feedback from the panel. In many instances, some have seen their work be used.
This practice is not only unethical but also exploitative, as it essentially involves extracting free labor or consulting services from desperate job seekers. The purpose of this petition is to implore our legislators to step up and address this issue to protect us from this practice.
We are calling for legislation that makes any project beyond a 15-minute assessment during a job interview process punishable by a fine starting at USD $1000. Under the Department of Labor regulations, some states already have some legislation under the minimum wage hourly rate laws. There might be some form of amendment made to these laws that will ensure that companies cannot exploit candidates under the guise of assessing their skills or suitability for a role or use their consulting work without any plans to hire them. If an organization requires free work as part of the interview/hiring process beyond a 15-minute assessment, the organization doing the hiring must pay the candidate for their market rate time. An example of this would be if an organization is expecting PowerPoint or essay questions beyond what could be answered in 15 minutes.
The current system is unfair, unethical, and unsustainable - it places an undue burden on already struggling individuals while allowing companies to benefit from free labor and consulting. With your support, we can bring about change and create a fairer employment landscape for all.
Please sign this petition if you believe in fair hiring practices and want our legislators to take action against these exploitative practices.
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Petition created on March 5, 2024