How to Attract the Right Candidates – and Avoid Discrimination – with Job Advertisements

Is your company hiring in 2016? Whether you’re expanding your workforce to meet growing demand – or filling a few positions to maintain current staffing levels – keeping an eye on diversity is essential. It’s not just about selecting the most qualified person for the job; you must also uphold the federal and state laws that protect against discrimination.

Title VII under the Civil Rights Act of 1964 states that employers with 15 or more employees can’t discriminate or harass in the workplace on the basis of certain legally protected characteristics, such as race, religion and sex. Over the years, the Act has been amended and new laws have been drafted to prohibit employers from demonstrating any type of preference or bias based on protected classes.

It’s not just about selecting the most qualified person for the job; you must also uphold the federal and state laws that protect against discrimination.

Your hiring process starts with job advertisements. And if your job advertisement isn’t worded properly, you may imply bias without even realizing it.

Here are some things to consider with each protected class:

Gender

Unless the position you are filling requires a certain gender, such as a restroom attendant, you should never state any gender preferences for the position. Make sure to use gender-neutral job titles. For example, you shouldn’t specify you’re looking for a new “salesman, but, rather, a “sales representative.” “Waitress” would imply a preference for a female candidate whereas “wait staff” shows no gender preference. With respect to female candidates, remember that pregnancy is protected under the Pregnancy Discrimination Act of 1978, so never address an applicant’s childbearing plans or current family status.

Race

Race should practically never be mentioned in job postings. The only exception is if you’re required to comply with affirmative action requirements, in which case you should state that you participate in an affirmative action program and, if applicable, applicants may be asked to fill out a voluntary identification form.

Religion

Religion also shouldn’t be referenced in job postings unless your business qualifies as a religious organization under Title VII. If you’re a conservative company, be extra cautious with the language you use to convey this. “Christian values” is obviously off-limits, but terms like “traditional,” “wholesome,” or “family values” can be tricky, too. Remember, if it isn’t directly related to the job, it shouldn’t be included. Be mindful, too, that different religions have rules that may require accommodations to your dress code or grooming standards. Stating in a job posting that the job requires someone “clean shaven,” for example, could be seen as religious discrimination since some religions require men to maintain some kind of facial hair. (It also implies that you’re looking for a man, which goes back to using gender-neutral descriptions.)

National Origin

You cannot require applicants to be U.S. citizens unless it’s necessary for the job. Instead, indicate that successful applicants will be required to complete an I-9 to verify their eligibility to work in the U.S. If the job absolutely requires English language skills, try to phrase it along the lines of having an excellent command of the English language. Conversely, if the job requires speaking a different language, make sure the emphasis is on the skills. “Must speak Spanish” is okay, but “must be Hispanic” is not.

Age

In 1974, Congress enacted the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, affecting businesses with 20 or more employees. The ADEA protects applicants 40 and older from any discrimination, so avoid any age-related terms in your job listings. You can look for applicants with a “fresh outlook” or who are “energetic,” but you can’t specify “young people.” Advertise your “entry level” jobs, but don’t use the words “recent graduate.” The words “junior” and “senior” should only be used if they’re part of the job title.

Disability

The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 protects disabled people from any discrimination from businesses with 15 or more employees. It’s important to include precise job descriptions that outline only duties that are absolutely necessary for the particular job. Never use the terms “able-bodied,” “strong” or “healthy.” State the exact tasks required, such as needing to move up to 50 pounds or being capable of traveling to multiple locations for inspections. Make sure to include all of the job’s essential functions.

Veterans

Under the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994 (USERRA), you can’t discriminate against veterans. If you’re part of an affirmative action program, you may indicate that you offer a voluntary identification form as part of the program.

Beyond these federal laws, it’s important to check your own state’s laws as some states protect against discrimination based on sexual orientation, criminal history, political affiliations and other factors. State laws may also be stricter and affect businesses with fewer employees than federal laws.

When in doubt, always ask yourself: Is this specification absolutely necessary for the job? If the answer is no, it doesn’t belong in the job posting.