Lighter side: Geminis need not apply
June 12, 2009 by Sam NarisiPosted in: Assessing the right candidate, In This Week's E-Newsletter, Latest News & Views
Companies have a lot of tools they use to pick employees. Should an astrological chart be one of them?
The Salzberg Insurance Company ran an ad to find applicants for part-time sales and management positions. In the list of qualifications, the company said it was “looking for people with the following star signs: Aquarius, Aries, Capricorn, Leo and Taurus.”
The reason for the unusual requirement? Statistics, according to a company spokesperson. Apparently, a “statistical study” showed that Salzberg’s best employees have one of those five signs, the Daily Mail reports.
Civil rights groups were up in arms and asked authorities to look into a charge of discrimination. But here’s the problem: Similar to American laws, there are no rules against bias based on applicants’ birthdays.
Since candidates of any sex, race, religion, age or other protected class could have qualified, Salzberg isn’t breaking the law. The company’s holding steady and will continue to use the Astrological hiring criteria.
What stories do you have about bizarre qualifications companies or managers have looked for in new hires? Share them in the comments section below.
Tags: Australia, hiring criteria, star sign
June 19th, 2009 at 12:42 pm
I thought that all HR people were Libras.
June 22nd, 2009 at 4:26 pm
I’m so relieved I’m a Capricorn and eligible to apply, lol!
June 25th, 2009 at 7:22 am
There may be no law against it, and the story is kind of funny, but it is discrimination just the same. What would be even funnier is if customers holding policies with this Salzberg space franchise would cancel them if they do not have a compatible astrological sign. Yeah, that’s right, I’m a Virgo stranded in HR.
July 17th, 2009 at 10:20 am
I am an Astrologer and also a Benefits Administrator in HR. If Salzberg were really knowledgeable about astrology they would know that a person is not only his sun sign but a combination of all the planets in his chart plus a lot of other things that they need to take into consideration in a persons chart, that make a person who they are. You can’t catagorize someone by just their sun sign. Maybe they should hire and astrologer in their HR Dept.
July 18th, 2009 at 10:34 am
I’m a Gemini — maybe that’s why I had to send out 175 resumes before landing a job in 2007!
July 19th, 2009 at 5:35 am
I find the “All HR people are Libras” comment very funny. I worked in HR for 15 years……and yes, I’m a Libra.
July 22nd, 2009 at 1:57 pm
I am in HR too and also a Libra. Maybe there is something to this
September 25th, 2009 at 12:46 pm
Well, I’m a Gemini and in HR, but I have had to send out quite a few resumes before finding just the right job.