[Nfbf-l] Job Discrimination

[Bill Dennis]

John,

These "job postings" came from staffing agencies that contacted me so I don't even know who the actual employer is.  I rarely ever fill out an actual job application prior to the job interview and at my last job (which is my current), I did not fill out an pplication at all because I work as a contractor through a staffing agency.

In my line of work, most of my jobs come via staffing agencies or private companies who hire me from my web site.

At my current position, they will NOT allow me to lift computers even if I were willing because they are afraid of being sued.  They have I.T. persons or laborers who do the lifting.

It is sad but in most cases, once I disclose my disibilities to a staffing agency, they conveniently forget my phone number.

I've had instances when direct employers have contacted me for interviews and required that I take a short exam during the interview.  I requested the exam be in electronic format and that prompted me to disclose my legal blindness.  They told me they'd check to see if they could make it accessible then never called me back and ignored my telephone calls.

I have close to 25 years of experience as a computer programmer and that is how I get so many calls for interviews but once the disibility hat goes on, most of them either have scheduling problems or the position has already been filled.

So, I've gotten into the habit of not disclosing my disibilities until the interview itself.  That is a double-edged sword too because some employers think I am dishonest for not disclosing it up front.

With the job I have now, the staffing agency called the client the day of the interview after I disclosed my disibilities and tried to talk my boss out of interviewing me because "We don't think he is a good fit for you".  He told me this with disgust when he hired me.  I've been with him and that staffing agency a year now.

The only reason I am looking for work now is because the upper management of the company I am contracted to will not commit to a full-time permanent position and I was recently out of work for 5 weeks straight and since I am on contract, they can work me as much or as little as they wish.

Bill Dennis
Orlando, FL