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Recruiters Use 'Digital Native' As Code For 'No Old Folks'

bizwriter writes: Companies are trying to get around Equal Employment Opportunity Commission restrictions on age-discriminatory language (like "recent college graduate") by saying that they want "digital natives." So far, no one has complained to the EEOC, but that could change. "Since the 1990s dotcom boom, many employers have openly sought to hire young, tech savvy talent, believing that was necessary to succeed in the new digital economy. At the same time, age discrimination complaints have spiraled upward, according to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, with 15,785 claims filed in 1997 compared to 20,588 filed in 2014.

Out of the 121 charges filed last year by the EEOC for alleged discriminatory advertising, 111 of them claimed the job postings discriminated against older applicants. The EEOC has said that using phrases like 'college student,' 'recent college graduate,' or 'young blood' violate the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1966. That federal law protects individuals who are 40 years of age or older from employment discrimination based on age."

4 of 553 comments (clear)

  1. The 30 and 40-somethings wrote the code... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative

    What I find ironic is that the people who wrote the basic items that are taken for granted, be it the Linux kernel, apache, the HTTP protocol, the IP protocol, Mosaic and its derivatives... are all people likely over 40+.

    Demanding someone be a "digital native" means you will get someone who knows how to flip through cat pictures, re-list their stuff on WoW's Armory, talk about how bad their work environment is on Yik Yak while trying to hand out their kik ID for a score. You won't get someone who actually knows the foundation that those apps are built on.

  2. Re:We old ones have a word for digital natives. by serviscope_minor · · Score: 5, Informative

    We also have a word for those who use the phase "digital native" without irony: wankers.

    --
    SJW n. One who posts facts.
  3. Re:EEO bullshit by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Informative

    You sure as fuck aren't a boss I'd ever want to have, you fucking Ayn Randtard.

  4. Re:Sort of dumb. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Informative

    Who do you think creates and enhances that VM technology? Who configures the servers, comes up with the load balancing strategies, and keeps our security tight? I can assure you it is the middle aged smart guys at my company... The kids we hire right out of college are almost worthless the first 3 years. Good thing we are willing to mentor you young snots!