To think that non-binary candidates are more unlikely to be offered a job?

[GinnyPiggie]

I have a non-binary child in their twenties and they are really struggling to secure work.

It might be unfair of me, but I really think that in presenting themselves as non-binary, they are going to struggle to be offered a job with the vast majority of employers. Yes this might be pure discrimination but personally I'd be worried about HR issues and getting sued for saying the wrong thing.

AIBU to think that if you have a range of good candidates, you are going to be reluctant to hire a non-binary candidate because of the potential for issues in the office?

It's hard for young people to get jobs these days.

Fuck all to do with what they call themselves.

Why would the non-binary status need mentioning at application/interview? Why does it matter to anyone other than the person themself? When is your child mentioning it, in what context, and why?

It's got nowt to do with them being nonbinary.

There was a study that concluded those with "identities" on their CV were less likely to be invited to interview.

It's like saying Sagittarius candidates are less likely to get a job.

No one cares about people's identities unless they make their whole lives about that identity. Then they just come across as a potential PITA.

What does "present as non-binary" look like? Why would the interviewer even be aware?

Why is it coming up in interviews at all?

Nobody is getting work these days! Binary or non binary. My binary DC are struggling to get work!

What issues in the office?

I probably wouldn’t hire somebody who thought the most important aspect of themselves to emphasise at interview was their gender identity. Tell your kid to tone it down and focus on the job role: their navel gazing over how they identify is of no interest to anybody else.

I don't even know what gender the candidates are until they turn up for an interview. I've not noticed it on CV''s I've seen, I don't think anyone puts their age or dob on them any more either.

Honestly, yes.

The reality is that employers will suspect that "drama" will be more likely with someone who describes themselves as "non-binary."

Tbh I find people with a lot of identities quite tedious. Especially on a CV.

I agree with you op, obviously I would not say this out loud but my assumption would be that anyone who bought into the 'born in the wrong body' ideology was going to be difficult, may have a personality disorder etc.
I appreciate that that will offend people and I may have my comment deleted and as I said I would not say this out loud but I would be reluctant to employ them.

How do they know your child is non binary?

I'd wonder why someone felt the need to shove it in my face in an interview situation, metaphorically speaking of course.

Seriously, who even cares if someone is non binary at an interview?

I dont disagree.

Unless they are turning up to the interviews looking like Victor/Victoria there's no reason to even bring it up, is there?

Exactly this.

If there were a selection of equally good candidates I would choose the person who would be the best match for the workplace. The non-binary option has the potential to cause discord as many people think it's a daft made up state of being.
So I wouldn't employ them.

I don't think employers will care unless they make a big deal out of it on their CV or at an interview. We had one young person who immediately on starting their first job started complaining that we didn't support gay pride and sponsor a float. No one had ever even considered it to be relevant to our business, and we already had lots of gay employees. Sadly they didn't last, as they were far more interested in campaigning than working. That said, it's pretty tough out there right now for young people looking for jobs.

Are they getting interviews but no job? In which case yes if they are applying to a conservative field it might be their gender presentation, either due to direct discrimination or due to them not presenting in a professional manner (a male bodied person turning up to an interview at a law firm in a skin-tight dress and makeup, for example - rightly or wrongly, a female-bodied person in masculine clothing would probably be fine).

If they aren’t even getting interviews, it’s unlikely to be their gender presentation unless they are focusing on that over their actual skills and suitability for the role in their cover letter/application form.

I think you're right. I'd assume that anyone who made a point of telling me about their gender identity pre-interview was probably going to be quite hard work.

I wouldn't make any assumptions about someone who "presented as non-binary" if you just mean eg a woman with short hair and unisex clothes.

My DC are being interviewed by AI for some jobs so I expect all this will be even less important.

I would definitely have to think hard about hiring a NB candidate for all the reasons you said. In fact I probably wouldn’t hire them for that reason.