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submitted 10 months ago* (last edited 10 months ago) by mulcahey@lemmy.world to c/workreform@lemmy.world

This happens a lot: I apply for a job and they ask for my complete address. Why? I would understand if they just want to know what city/town I'm in: That has bearing on how easily I can get to the office.

But why do they need to know my street address?

The only thing I can think: Indeed/LinkedIn/take-your-pick is building a profile of me based on this info, using my street as a proxy for my income, credit score, or, ultimately, for my social class.

From now on, when they ask me, I'm just going to put a rich person's address. For this one I used a Brooklyn townhouse where Maggie Gyllenhaal and one of the Saarsgaards lives.

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[-] xmunk@sh.itjust.works 72 points 10 months ago

Racism. They never have to ask if you're black but if you live in a predominantly black neighborhood they can decline to hire you without running afoul of anti-discrimination laws.

You'd be surprised how many things in America are just racism wearing a wig.

[-] cerement@slrpnk.net 31 points 10 months ago

also known as redlining – nominally illegal but almost impossible to enforce (assuming anyone in authority even tries to enforce) …

[-] Nastybutler@lemmy.world 9 points 9 months ago

That can be determined by Zip Code alone. Exact address isn't needed to determine which neighborhood an applicant is from in most major cities

[-] Mirshe@lemmy.world 4 points 9 months ago

True, but asking for your ZIP code feels more nebulous and undefined as to WHY. Asking for your full address is "oh, I guess so they can mail me things if they need to" for most applicants, so it gets looked past a lot easier. One of the few times where specificity wins out.

this post was submitted on 05 Mar 2024
233 points (90.9% liked)

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