“We don’t hire women drivers”

Somebody please tell Pizza Pizza this is 2010.

At the Bridlewood Mall, there’s a franchise with a sign in the window saying “Driver wanted”. It’s been there awhile, at least a month. Since we’re in a recession and all, I’ve accepted I won’t be getting my dream job with a six-figure salary just yet and I need extra money these days.

However overqualified I might be, I’m willing to consider a “joe job”. I wandered in and asked about the position. After all, driving doesn’t require too many special skills. I have a clean abstract.  Moreover, my grad degree isn’t stamped on my forehead. I was dressed casually, in capris and a T-shirt.

“Is it for you?” The woman at the counter asked. Her name tag said “Sonia”.

“Yes.” I asked for an application form.

“We don’t hire women drivers.” She added that another woman had come in asking about the job and didn’t get it, either.

All this was before anyone even asked about my profile, credentials, or anything at all. I could have been Danica Patrick and would still not be good enough for Pizza Pizza, because women aren’t supposed to be able to drive.

I couldn’t quite believe what I heard. It left me wondering what on earth about delivering pizza requires testicles. “Excuse me? Why?”

“I don’t know. There’s a lot of work at the back.” Like dish-washing, which apparently women can’t do. Well. Now that I know this, I will stop doing it at home.

I still didn’t believe it was official policy, so I asked the other employee who was at the back. He confirmed that no, they don’t hire women.

“Whose decision was it?” I asked. The owner, Sonia replied.

She went on to explain that this was a franchise, and the owner could do whatever he liked. “You can’t force people,” she said.

It looks like Sonia hasn’t heard of the Human Rights Commission. And according to her affirmations, neither has the owner, whose name I was unable to get. Without being able to contact him, these employees are the only face of the business I get to see. And it’s not pretty.

I’ve just called Pizza Pizza headquarters, since after all this has their name all over it. I’m still waiting and will update the story.

(Sept 1 at noon: no one has returned my calls)

cross-posted at http://thedelphiad.wordpress.com/