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Old 06-13-2012, 12:54 PM   #1
Sliver
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Default Is it racist to not want to hire somebody because they smell like ethnic food?

Somebody I know was in a position to hire somebody, but chose not to for the sole reason that the candidate smelled like ethnic food. I think that's completely racist, but their argument was the smell made them physically ill for whole day after only spending ~20 minutes with the person. I don't see how that is possible and called the person out, but they are standing by their guns that in spite of being well qualified, the candidate should not be hired because of the odor.

Also, is it even legal to not hire somebody for that reason?

Thoughts?
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Old 06-13-2012, 12:56 PM   #2
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What qualifies as ethnic food? Is Italian ethnic?
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Old 06-13-2012, 12:56 PM   #3
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Maybe if it was an issue of hygiene? I dont know.

Oh, the moral quandaries that we occasionally find ourselves engrossed in.....
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Old 06-13-2012, 12:57 PM   #4
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if i interviewed someone and they reeked of overpowering cologne or perfume, i wouldn't hire them either. the smell of certain foods can be quite nauseating to some, i don't blame him if that's the case
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Old 06-13-2012, 12:57 PM   #5
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Quote:
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What qualifies as ethnic food? Is Italian ethnic?
For argument's sake let's call it East Indian.
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Old 06-13-2012, 12:59 PM   #6
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They'll find a better job with a better boss.
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Old 06-13-2012, 12:59 PM   #7
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What if it's body odour, bad breath or too much perfume/cologne? I'm pretty sure applicants can be turned down if they don't shower, don't brush their teeth or cover themselves in smelly sprays before showing up to an interview.
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Old 06-13-2012, 12:59 PM   #8
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I've fired a white guy once because he stunk. If he stunk when he was applying for the job he wouldn't have been hired in the first place.
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Old 06-13-2012, 01:01 PM   #9
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If the persons smell made them physically ill, then no, its not racist for not hiring them due to this. Not hiring them because they're brown/black/yellow/red is racist.

If the person is making you ill, and possibly making your customers, clients or employees also ill, then hiring them might be an irresponsible decision. I'm sure there's more potential hires that don't have a severe and serious fault.
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Old 06-13-2012, 01:02 PM   #10
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I never find food smells terrible, just the typical bo or rancid fish smell.
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Old 06-13-2012, 01:03 PM   #11
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If the guy himself was from the same place as the food then yes, that is racist. If he just went out for lunch, he should have changed his clothes.
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Old 06-13-2012, 01:03 PM   #12
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If it is a matter of personal hygiene then yes, that is a perfectly legitimate reason not to hire someone, even if they are from another culture.

There are responsibilities for the job seekers who want to apply for jobs to learn more about Canadian workplace Culture. There are many amazing Immigrant serving agencies in and around Calgary which help service that market.

I feel you may be leaving out some details or putting some spin on this - it seems like it is a little more than just smelling like 'ethnic food'.
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Old 06-13-2012, 01:05 PM   #13
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The situation is definitely tinged with a bit of racism, but a particular scent can be pretty powerful (in good ways and bad). On my last flight, I spent 6 hours next to an Indian dude who smelled like "ethic food".....and honestly, it was pretty off-putting. Just like being around someone with bad BO, a jersey shower, etc, it's really hard to ignore.

At the end of the day, I think it really depends on if this was a one-time occurrence or if this is how the candidate always smells. If this was his regular scent, I'm not sure I can blame anyone for not wanting to be around it.
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Old 06-13-2012, 01:06 PM   #14
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How many interviews were there. If it was one and he smelled bad try another one. If he smells bad on two then you could assume it would be a constant thing and then you have to decide if it is bad enough to be a problem for co-workers as well. Maybe invite another person from the office into the interview and see if they notice as well.
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Old 06-13-2012, 01:06 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Baxter Renegade View Post
If the persons smell made them physically ill, then no, its not racist for not hiring them due to this. Not hiring them because they're brown/black/yellow/red is racist.

If the person is making you ill, and possibly making your customers, clients or employees also ill, then hiring them might be an irresponsible decision. I'm sure there's more potential hires that don't have a severe and serious fault.
I've never smelled anything in my life that made me sick all day. Honestly, is that even possible?

The problem with having an issue with a strong ethnic-food odor is it becomes inherently tied to race, which I think makes this a deeper problem and a more veiled form of racism than just a person having a bad smell.
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Old 06-13-2012, 01:06 PM   #16
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I used to work with a girl who used to smell like bacon all the time. Even though bacon is yummy, there is something kind of gross when food odour is being expelled through someone's body.

Having said that, I have been know at times to eat so much garlic that I smell like it. I don't do it a lot, but it has been known to happen. It would suck if I didn't get hired because of it.
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Old 06-13-2012, 01:07 PM   #17
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I knew before coming in here it would be Indian food, lol. That #### sticks to you. Even if you don't come in contact with it, being in the same house as it is cooked on a daily basis will make you reek of it. It is an entity.
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Old 06-13-2012, 01:07 PM   #18
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For me it is more a case of the fact that the person being interviewed could not be bothered to put on clean clothes for a job interview.
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Old 06-13-2012, 01:09 PM   #19
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Quote:
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For me it is more a case of the fact that the person being interviewed could not be bothered to put on clean clothes for a job interview.
They were likely clean, but if he is Indian, he likely lives in a house where Indian food is cooked. It doesn't matter if the food gets on your clothes, and it doesn't matter if they were washed just before going out. It will remain with you. Trust me.
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Old 06-13-2012, 01:10 PM   #20
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There are many, many reasons a potential employer can use not to hire someone and body odour, hygene is one of them.

Last edited by Erick Estrada; 06-13-2012 at 01:13 PM.
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