Employment discrimination in the Philippines
When I checked her resume, I was shocked that she included personal information that I felt had no business being in a c.v.聽 聽She showed her date of birth, place of birth, marital status, etc.聽 I was appalled that such information is still being expected...if not required by employers in the Philippines.聽 I revised her resume...removed all that information that has no bearing on her skills and abilities and other "job-related" qualities needed to do the job she's applying to.聽 Shortly after she submitted her new, revised, c.v....she started getting calls for interviews!聽 I was thrilled of course.聽
That was about two months ago.聽 Of course, she has since been hired in a job she enjoys doing...and paid according to her skills and abilities.聽
But I still wanted to find out why most ads I read for jobs in the Philippines stipulate that the applicant not be older than 35.聽 Apparently, this seems to apply mostly to women.聽 Then I checked c.v. samples on a Philippines job website...and that's how I learned...and was shocked how much personal information applicants put on their c.v.'s.聽 聽Some ads even boldly specify that they want males only...or females only!聽 聽But I failed to find ads (for males) that has the same age restriction imposed on women.聽 I knew that was the way job ads were advertised back many years ago...when I was growing up in the Philippines.聽 But I didn't think the old sexist attitude is still in vogue these days!聽 These are the kinds of labor violations that can get employers in the U.S. sued..pay a hefty fine, go to jail...or all of the above.聽
聽 My question then is...why age 35?聽 What is so magical about that age?聽 Is that when a woman is deemed no longer capable of doing the job she is highly qualified for?聽 Oh...by the way, I've also seen ads indicating that the applicant must be single!聽 聽I was told that there was a female senator or congresswoman who introduced a law that would make such discriminatory practices illegal...but I heard that it didn't pass the vote required to make it law.聽 聽Too bad.聽 I would really be grateful for your answers to the questions about the flagrant and open discriminatory practices in employment in the Philippines.聽 By the way, I have more than 25 years of experience as HR Manager in the U.S. so I am very familiar with discriminatory laws and issues.
- Job offers in the Philippines - 57 Ads
- Internship in the Philippines - Guide
- Moving to Philippines - 31 Replies
- Advice on relocating to Philippines - 14 Replies
- Online Employment - 24 Replies
- Business in Philippines - 11 Replies
- Being convincing to an employer in the Philippines - 1 Reply
What I feel the work conditions are the ones that need to be improved! You cannot have people stand with high heels for 4 hrs; with breaks only of 15 minutes; you need to be young
discrimination by age, gender, and other reasons...are still blatantly practiced in the Philippines.聽 Siyanga pala, why many of the c.v.'s in the Philippines that I have researched....have the applicant's photo on the c.v.?聽 Is this a requirement?聽 Once I received an application complete with the applicant's photo...showing him with his family...and the family dog in front of a church.聽 I wondered why?聽 It's like the applicant was sending a message..."Hey, look, I am a decent looking, God-fearing Christian with a loving family (and pet)...so I should be hired!"聽 聽I returned his application and photo back to him...with my note that it is illegal to include a photograph of the applicant in the application.聽 Thank you for putting up with my questions (and ranting).聽 There is a reason for this...I can explain if you want me to.
There is no particular law making it illegal to require an applicant to be of certain age, sex, and status; as a matter of fact, there are blank (templates) of Bio-Data being sold in Recto that applicant can simply fill up; the 1st few lines requires applicants to answer marital status, gender and age, of course with a box for picture;
I have been involved in hiring people here in the Philippines and received curriculum vitae (resume) with pictures and personal informations such as age, status, gender and even health conditions; I do not really look at the pictures because pictures now can be manipulated; this should be removed from the cv (a.k.a. Bio-data);
Depending on the job openings, age,status, and gender will be considered in selecting the candidates! I am guilty of this too! When the jobs entail traveling, I will prefer to hire male; I will not hire a married woman with children neither a woman if the area of assignment will be dangerous! and also the biggest factor is that the Philippines have the luxury of having a young population to choose from; however, I have also seen that age no longer matters and it is now experience and educations matters when the positions are in the Chief Executive levels;
Companies here also requires candidates to be medically examined to determine if fit for the job;
When I look at the format of resume in Canada and in the States, the resume starts with your accomplishments and contributions to the companies you worked, then experience, then educations and I believe the most important is the reference section;
As to legal issues in the labor, these are better handled by lawyers; most of our Human Resources Departments here are headed by lawyers; the employee can seek the Public Attorney's Office if they felt their rights as a worker is being violated; if the labor laws are followed it is difficult to terminate than to hire employees; actually, it is easier to terminate people in North America;
There are a lot of things going on in the labor force here in the Philippines that are bewildering!
know what you are saying about women handling men's job, I am one of those female that believe that women are equally capable with men;
One thing, I noticed here in the Philippines there are more women managers in most companies; highly educated young women; who does not have only one course on their belt but several;
Make your relocation easier with the Philippines expat guide

Setting up a business in the Philippines
In recent years, the Philippines has emerged as one of the fastest-growing economies in Southeast Asia, attracting ...

Work in the Philippines
With its thriving business sectors, skilled workforce, and a government committed to enhancing employment ...

Work in Davao
Located in Mindanao, Davao is a very dynamic city in economic terms, providing many professional opportunities for ...

Work in Cagayan de Oro
Cagayan de Oro, officially known as the City of Cagayan de Oro, is a 1st class urbanized city in the Northern ...

Work in Cebu
What are the career prospects for expats in Cebu? How to proceed to find a job there? What is the work culture and ...

Work in Iloilo
Located in the Visayas region, Iloilo was given the title 'Queen City of the South' for being the ...

Work in Manila
Manila, also referred to as the National Capital Region, is the capital city of the Philippines and the ...

The work culture in Manila
When deciding to work in Manila as an expat, it is crucial to know and understand the proper work etiquette. What ...
Forum topics on jobs in the Philippines
大咖福利影院 for your expat journey



