Lawsuits based on hiring aren't very common. The main reason is that rejected applicants rarely have access to the information they need to show that the decision was made for illegal reasons -- or even to suspect the employer's decision in the first place.
Everyone has been turned down for a job, and usually it's just because someone better qualified, more experienced, and/or more skilled came along. Sometimes, though, an applicant isn't selected for discriminatory reasons, because of a defamatory negative reference by a former employer, or because the employer considered information it wasn't supposed to have. In these situations, a rejected applicant may have grounds for a lawsuit.
Can You Sue a Company for Not Hiring You?
Learn when you might have a legal claim arising from an employer's decision not to hire you.
Defamation Lawsuits: Do You Have a Case Against a Former Employer?
If a former employer lied about you in a reference, you may have a defamation claim -- but these cases can be tough to prove and win.
Find out about the state laws that prohibit blacklisting -- and how to tell if you're a victim.
How to Start a Workplace Claim Against Your Employer
Protect your rights in the workplace and get results.
Can I be denied a job because I'm pregnant?
Learn about pregnancy discrimination in hiring.
Can an employer hire only applicants who live in the same neighborhood as the business?
Requiring employees to share a zip code with the business might violate discrimination laws.