Job seekers in California and throughout the country may use Facebook to search for jobs. However, according to a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, or EEOC, ads are being hidden from women who are looking for work.
The complaint claims that Facebook and nine other companies engaged in gender discrimination by doing so. According to Facebook, the company does not engage in discriminatory practices and says that it will defend its actions.
Facebook also says that it is not responsible for the type of advertising that other companies purchase. The company says that it is protected by the Communications Decency Act.
The complaint says that Facebook is not protected by federal law because it created the technology that allowed the advertisements to be created and shown. It is generally acceptable for companies to target ads to certain demographics. However, it is generally illegal to exclude based on race or age when advertisements pertain to job opportunities.
Those who filed the complaint have found support from the American Civil Liberties Union. The Communications Workers of America has also indicated that it supports the women who voiced their concerns with the EEOC. According to the complaint itself, data from the ad creation tool showed that only men within a certain age range were meant to see certain ads.
If hiring or employment policies have a disparate impact on a certain race or gender, that may be a violation of employment law. An attorney may be able to review a case to determine if an individual has been the victim of such a violation.
A legal professional may also review the merits of a complaint that is to be filed with the EEOC. Generally, an EEOC complaint must be made before a lawsuit can be pursued.