Jewish Groups Told How to Handle Complaints on Discrimination in Employment

The Jewish Occupational Council today issued a report explaining how Jewish groups can effectively handle complaints of employment discrimination. The report is prepared by the Coordinating Committee of Jewish Organizations Dealing with Employment Discrimination in War Industries.

Jewish groups accepting complaints of discrimination, the report recommends, should obtain the story first-hand from the person who has had the actual experience. Telephone calls, letters, or reports from friends are regarded as unsatisfactory.

A visit to a company is considered “sufficiently important to be taken to the top management” and “should raise the question of Jewish employment frankly.” If discussion with the employer confirms the original complaint and fails “to evoke any change in the company’s attitude to Jewish employment,” the complaint should be certified to the Minorities Representative of the Regional Labor Supply Committee of the federal government. A list of the Regional Labor Supply Committees, together with addresses, is reproduced in the report.

Complaints reported to the federal government, according to the report, should contain all the necessary identifying information in addition to “everything you have found to substantiate the charge that the applicant was not hired because he was Jewish.” In the event that a complaint is not satisfactorily handled by the Regional Labor Supply Committee, the Jewish Occupational Council will undertake to follow it up in Washington with the President’s Committee on Fair Employment Practice.