Having a difficult time finding or hearing back from regional work employers? This may not be the first, or last roadblock you face on your quest for a second-year visa. Surprisingly (or unsurprisingly?) there’s a ton of controversial job ads for regional work.
Sure, no one is obligated to apply to these controversial ads with discrimination, sexism or racism. But, isn’t the problem that they’re out there to begin with? I think so.
All of these discriminatory and controversial job ads for regional work came as a surprise to me. In Canada it’s considered discrimination to ask if someone is a permanent resident, on a Working Holiday Visa, or a Canadian citizen. Instead ads just ask if the applicant is legally entitled to work in Canada. I found out quickly, Australia doesn’t share these same laws.
Touching on the safety of backpackers in Australia, I’m rounding up some of the top controversial job ads you’ll come across looking for regional work. Because if the ads are already discriminating, the jobs won’t be much better.
Table of Contents
Ageism
First on my list of controversial job ads for regional work is age discrimination. Age is a very real way people discriminate against workers. It happens in regional work and even in corporate work environments, but it shouldn’t. Employers use age as a means of discriminating against workers that may be more mature and be able to learn certain tasks.
The Australian Human Rights Commission has a guide for employers to age discrimination. This is to help prevent employers in making mistakes which could result in discriminating potential, current or past employees.
What’s your Body type?
Yes, it’s true employers may ask for photos and may be aiming to see your body type before employing you. I had one employer that wanted lean employees for operating a specific machine on the farm. If employees were overweight, the machine can’t hold as much fruit. So, they wanted leaner employees that could hold more fruit while operating the machine.
I can understand each side of this. Ultimately though, it is discrimination to judge someone based on their body type and assume their abilities to perform a job on it.
Sexism
Sexism happens way more and way more obviously than it should. In terms of controversial job ads for regional work, this might be one type that appears the most. Employers aren’t shy about asking for men or women for different roles, such as with this ad above. This is illegal and considered discrimination in Australia, however it doesn’t seem to stop employers from doing it.
It’s true that men biologically have different muscle capabilities than women. A study from the 90’s showed just that, women’s muscles are naturally smaller than mens. This doesn’t mean that every man ever will be stronger than women, and it doesn’t warrant sexism in the workplace.
Working Hostels
Working hostels have become routinely good at camouflaging offers to stay at their hostel for job ads. In the grand scheme of controversial job ads for regional work, this might not be a big problem. However with so many job ads out there, it should be clearly stated what ads are for what.
Many people don’t like this stay at working hostels which is why they look for ads for jobs specifically. Hostels need workers to supply to farmers or to stay in business so they may advertise jobs stating accommodation options. What the ads tend not to say is the accommodation is mandatory.
Racism
Next on the list of controversial job ads are those asking for specific races for jobs specifically. It’s hard to depict why employers prefer people from specific races, but either way it’s not morally okay or legal.
No WHV Applicants
So, you’re looking for work, everything seems perfect. You almost completely fit the job description, you’re motivated, educated and experienced. But then, just before applying, at the bottom of the page there’s a note: “No Working Holiday Visa applicants.”
There’s a few reasons for this, those on a WHV can only work six months at any job, unless it’s in specific industries, such as agriculture and in specific locations. Employers want to weed-out those employees that can’t stay as long as they prefer. However there’s even some jobs that are for agriculture in regional areas, but still only want Australian applicants. Or, some of these jobs are short-term—less than a six-month term. Which makes this another form of discrimination.
Need some help on finding regional work? Check out the best job options and tips for finding non-exploitive jobs.
