From the Perry County News (Tell City):
Q: We received an employment ad from St. Meinrad Archabbey seeking male part-time dishwashers. Since it is for a males-only archabbey, is that OK to run?
A: There has to be a bona fide reason why the archabbey would block female applicants to avoid employment discrimination liability. Ask them about it, but let them know you’re only trying to protect them from possible legal trouble.
If they insist that it’s appropriate due to their religious rules, you can run the ad.
Remember, if they are wrong, the liability will fall on the archabbey, not the newspaper running the ad. This is different from housing ads, where the newspaper is liable along with the advertiser in a discriminatory ad.
Contact Steve Key, HSPA executive director and general counsel, with media law questions at skey@hspa.com or (317) 624-4427.
