Rejected because of zodiac? China firm puts job application ban fearing bad luck for boss

Luck factors in for any job applicant, but those applying to one Chinese firm found that being born in the Year of the Dog meant automatic disqualification.

South China Morning Post reported that hose behind the company's employment policy believed that these applicants would bring bad luck to the boss of the firm who is a dragon.

There are 12 zodiac signs in China, each corresponding to a year in the repeating 12-year cycle.

It is believed that signs positioned opposite each other are in conflict - in this case the dragon and the dog.

The company -- Sanxing Transporation -- based out of China's Guangdong province put out an opening for a clerk with a month salary of $420-$550, which is half the average salary in the province, the publication reported.

The job description specifically asks candidates born in the Year of the Dog to 'not apply for the job', SCMP noted.

A member of the staff on August 2, told a television channel there that these applicants were banned since the boss was a 'dragon' and 'dragons and dogs do not get along well.' As per the employee of the firm, the company was even willing to consider lesser qualified applicants as long as their zodiac sign was 'not the dog'.

The company's stance has drawn ire on Chinese social media channels, with one person saying the company is 'too superstitious'. Another called it 'discrimination' while a third declared they would not 'choose to work for a company like this.'

An individual shared a similar experience, where an employer had asked for their birthday and horoscope, but in that case on hearing they were a rooster zodiac person born early in the morning, went ahead with the hiring, believing the person would be a hard worker.

A lawyer meanwhile told the publication that the company's rule could be tantamount to discrimination but hiring preferences based on zodiac are not per se illegal.