Small Biz Owners Steamed at Anti-Discrimination Bill
by Elisa
Tue Oct 03, 2006 at 07:31:05 AM PDT
Distinguished guests such as Senators Clinton, Kennedy, Obama and Dodd showed up to the D.C. viewing -- which is thrilling because this is such an important piece of work. (To see footage of Hillary Clinton's speech, click here.)
In case you haven't read my previous posts on this topic, a group of moms, including Cooper, are trying to pass a bill in Pennsylvania that would make it illegal to ask potential workers of their marital and child status. This practice hurts especially single mothers. And just to show you how common it is, check out Cooper's exchange with angry callers to a Pittsburgh radio station, in which she was a guest:
The first caller was a very angry small business owner. "I will never hire another single mother again. I completely disagree with all this. Single mothers have ruined my business," he huffed.Wow. I pointed out a few things: Making blanket generalizations is wrong and dangerous. It sounds like he's had some bad luck with some hires. Perhaps there are some management issues going on? But, no, this guy was mad. I think, in retrospect, he is always going to be mad.
The next caller was female, and in my own way I made a generalization because I heard her and immediately thought, "Thank God, a friend!" Nope, another angry small business owner. She too insisted that single mothers were trouble and unreliable and terrible for business. I could tell Marty was starting to think a little differently about the issue.
Again I pointed out how vital the legislation is simply because of these ways of thinking. When I brought up being more flexible, the caller went bananas. What! My business is barely surviving! If that single mom doesn't show up early to open up my shop I am screwed!
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