Unreasonable job requirements

I am sure that everyone has encountered these at some point. Being a recent graduate, you come across a lot of job postings during your job search and you see some crazy requirements posted by companies. Specifically I remember coming across an entry-level HR position that asks for 3 years of HR experience. Wait a minute, this company either thinks that their entry level is above other entry level jobs or they have another classification for the people that are entering their HR department without any experience. Intern or temp job titles come to mind. 

Last week I went into a dollar store and saw a job requirement for their store clerk position – it read: “5 years of retail experience required”. That’s excessive in my opinion, but there may be something else attached to that figure. Competence wise I am certain that 1 year of retail experience should qualify anyone to work at all stores that do not require product knowledge. This job certainly appears like one of the jobs that should not require product knowledge. They could be looking for somebody more “mature”, which is a more covert way to select people above a certain age without getting in trouble for age discrimination. And I have a problem with that.  I feel like the youth are already getting squeezed out of entry level jobs, and to discourage them from applying is wrong.

Siesta at European workplaces is another point for flexible work schedule

During my vacation to Spain I have encountered a mass siesta for the first time in a foreign culture. It was really curious to see mostly everyone just close up shop and go home in the afternoon for a couple of hours. Evidently this is a practice deep rooted in their history to cope with the climate, which is really hot in the afternoons. It sounds really nice to be able to go home in the afternoon and just nap for an hour or so. Apparently this is in line with our biorhythm of the afternoon slump that makes it desirable for us to take a nap. http://wellbeing.doctissimo.com/lifestyle/getting-a-good-nights-sleep/siestas-as-workplace-performance-enhancers.html

I feel like the presented benefits of the afternoon naps, just make it more enticing to adopt a flexible work schedule in the back office environment. It wouldn’t be anything new to the new employees coming in, that have more likely gotten some retail and shiftwork experience. Besides with the technological advancements many jobs in part can be completed remotely shall there be a particular deadline. I think that introducing flexible work environment would also prove to be a move towards becoming more competitive for the female talent. It’s rather widely known that majority of women value work flexibility more than money. To me it seems like a competitive edge type of move to make your job more flexible and more attractive.