Job Discussion Forums

moonraven · Joined: 24 Mar 2004 Posts: 3094

Thelma, I have been in Latin America almost 13 years now. And I repeat: I have never been asked for a photo here. And my age--20 years more than yours--has not kept me from being offered jobs every week nor from being hired, either.

What you call "Mexico's Rules" are not the norm everywhere--nor for everyone.

Guy Courchesne · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City

Leigh, the laws are on the books against such forms of discrimination. Common practice is different, but technically, many things done here are now illegal.

Moonraven, I've found a good number of language schools all over Latin America will ask for a photo, but I don't mean that all will. I'm sure that most often, it's to check race... the guero/guera factor. As well, I'm sure that people doing the hiring also want to check on presentability.

I have a question...is it actually illegal to ask an applicant for a photo as part of a job application in the US? Thinking about it, I don't think that it is. It might be illegal to decline employment to someone based on 'how they look' but even that has some room to wiggle out of.

thelmadatter · Posted: Mon Mar 14, 2005 10:53 pm Post subject: photo

I do not know if it is flat out illegal to ask for a photo on an application or resume. I suspect, however, that no employer in the States would ask for such upfront because it would him/her and the company ripe for a lawsuit... on both the discrimination and right-to-privacy fronts. So whether it is on the books or not may not matter.

As far as Mexico, Guy is right. What is on the books and what is practiced is often very different. I could have insisted on not sending a photo but to what end? Not getting the job. It was better to send the photo and hope to get the job than to refuse on principle and probably have no hope of getting it.

Guy Courchesne · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City

When I'm helping someone find a job and a school I don't know asks for a photo right off the bat, it gives me pause. There are some schools though that I've long had dealings with that still insist everytime for a photo.

Rich, if you are reading, what does InternetWorks do in this case?

chula · Posted: Tue Mar 15, 2005 12:19 am Post subject:

On the "legal" and the "reality" tip, I have another one for you. I was hired as a part-time for the first 6 months because they wanted to be sure they weren't hiring someone who was pregnant. I know that they used to be able to ask that (and for a negative test result), but wasn't it Fox who put an end to it? They still get around the laws of course.
Just thought I'd add that in case the photo/racism controversy was dying down.

Guy Courchesne · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City

I've heard of that happening a lot, but usually only for local women.

moonraven · Joined: 24 Mar 2004 Posts: 3094

I guess I have never been that hard up for a job that I have been tempted to go against my principles before I was even hired....The luck of the Iroquois?

And when I have been asked to do so as an employee, I have simply told the administration that I don't play that game.

There are always more jobs out there. Once you lose your self-respect, however, it's very tough to recover it.

Ben Round de Bloc · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1946

The only photos required at my place of employment are those for our medical insurance ID cards -- and of course those that appear on photocopies of my passport and work visa. I wasn't asked to submit a photo with my job application. My place of employment may be unusual regarding age. Of the 25+ teachers working in the foreign language department, the youngest is in her late 20s, and the oldest is 60. Most are in their 40s or early 50s. I was in my late 40s when hired, and my age wasn't an issue at all. Pesonally, I found much more age discrimination when looking for teaching jobs in the USA than I've found in Mexico.

ls650 · Joined: 10 May 2003 Posts: 3484 Location: British Columbia

chula · Posted: Tue Mar 15, 2005 3:34 pm Post subject:

And when I have been asked to do so as an employee, I have simply told the administration that I don't play that game.

There are always more jobs out there. Once you lose your self-respect, however, it's very tough to recover it.[/quote]

I agree with you Moonraven. If they'd asked me to do a pregnancy test or anything like that, I would have probably hung up on them and posted something on this board!
I can understand why they would want a photo, but I can also understand being hesitant to give one. After seeing some of the people who walked in looking for jobs, it was obvious that a photo would have made it easier to detect those who didn't believe in showering. On the other hand, the photos of the better applicants made it a lot easier to remember which resume went with which person.

Guy Courchesne · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City

Good point there...looking at it from the flip side, I've seen a lot of resumes where people attached a photo, looking for an edge, I suppose, or playing up their good looks if that's what they feel. Or at least to say 'Look, I really do shower".

uff...do not underestimate the power of having good hygene.

moonraven · Joined: 24 Mar 2004 Posts: 3094

Yes, good hygiene is indispensable here in mexico, where a large percentage of the population bathes twice daily.

I had a stinky teacher working for me and the students (and staff) complained at full volume. I took him aside and indicated to him that I was washing my bedsheets in a teacup. I asked him if he understood my message, and he said, "Yes, you want me to start showering and washing my clothes". He still constinued to be lax in both those tasks, so he was not with us very long.

Guy Courchesne · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City

Best teacher in the world can't teach through the cloud of stink...