GOP Rep. Scott Barger discusses menopause accommodations in hearing. Then says he would find a reason not to hire the woman: ‘Problematic’
He says it's a "hassle."
Pennsylvania’s House Labor & Industry Committee held a voting meeting on Sept. 29 to discuss workplace accommodations for menopausal employees. Republican Rep. Scott Barger, in particular, made his stance clear when he told fellow lawmakers that he might not hire a middle-aged woman for being “problematic.”
Sponsored by Democrats, House Bill 2135, also known as the Menopause and Perimenopause Workplace Protections and Accommodations Act, was laid on the table on Tuesday. The legislation would require employers to make reasonable adjustments for pregnancy- and menopause-related conditions in the workplace and protect employees from punishment and discrimination as a result.
Discussing the legislation, Barger stated in the meeting that providing the required accommodations would be a “real hassle” for employers. He cited his own experience evaluating applicants to illustrate his point, telling other representatives that such adjustments could discourage employers from hiring women in the future.
GOP’s Barger says employers wouldn’t want to hire women
“Speaking as someone who’s signed the front side of the paycheck in the past,” Barger said. “[I] evaluated employees based on how problematic they are to hire.” However, he argued that his decision wasn’t due to any dislike of the applicant, nor because they lacked talent or ability. Rather, he said, “When I hire them, I hire with them problems.”
Based on Barger’s wording alone, it would seem that menopause, which is a natural stage in a woman’s life, and pregnancy have been reduced to a workplace inconvenience. According to the legislation, the accommodations that it promotes include recovery from childbirth, breaks, job restructuring, equipment modifications, temporary transfers, work schedule modifications, and manual labor assistance, among others.
Barger acknowledged that laws exist to prevent employers from discriminating against applicants, but argued that the legislation could have unintended consequences for women’s hiring prospects. “They’re not allowed to discriminate, and they understand that. But with this kind of legislation hanging over their head, they’re gonna find a reason not to hire the woman,” Barger said, admitting that he would do the same, while recognizing that “it’s difficult” for women.
Barger’s seeming admission to making discriminatory decisions caught users’ attention on X. “Is he opening himself up to discrimination lawsuits from people who have applied and been denied?” a commenter said. Another chimed in, saying, “Gender discrimination… the misogyny of America in full effect. What an ignorant, smooth-brained chud this guy is.”
Others questioned the logic behind such decisions. One commenter wrote, “So they won’t hire young women because they might become pregnant and they won’t hire old women because they can’t become pregnant.” One commenter shared their reflection: “I’m starting to think us men have it pretty f****** good. Shameful.”
Despite Barger’s argument, the legislation was reported as committed with a 14-12 vote. Notably, all Republican representatives on the committee voted against House Bill 2135.
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