I had an experience at work that I need to get off my chest. I watched our two de facto managers go back and forth debating an applicant. At first I had no idea what they were talking about because I came in mid conversation. But it became crystal clear within moments that a young woman had submitted an application to them for a position. She had also submitted an application to another of our locations as she lives between the two. It seemed to me that they were actively looking for a reason to not hire her. They went on to consider her age, the fact that she was a woman, then combed through some social media they found of hers to, apparently, glean enough information to confirm her political views. I know this, NOT because I was one of the employees in the vicinity they SHOWED HER PROFILE TO, but because they then went on to muse that she seems even more “political” than NiceHoodedSnake is! After which one of them called her to clumsily let her know that she would need further consideration, or some similar garbage.
I don’t know what to do about this. It has had me furious since it happened, but I don’t even know where to start with this. I’ve walked off the job for less, but that doesn’t seem like the right thing to do here. I know that considering gender, age, and political affiliation or identity is against the law federally and in my specific state. I’m not sure if combing through someone’s social media is criminal in this context, but it is definitely disgusting to see management show posts from a prospective employee to half the staff. I felt violated on her behalf, and the worst part is she doesn’t even know this discrimination has occurred.