Uproar over 'no Haitians' classified ad

NEW YORK (FOX 5 NY) - A classified advertisement in the Oct. 15 issue of Pennysaver reads: "Laid back nurse, no haitians, must have strong respiratory mngt." The 'no haitians' requirement is not only illegal it has sent social media into an uproar.

The ad was allegedly taken out by Interim Health Care Inc. The company provides in-home nursing care. The position was for an opening in West Haverstraw, New York.

In a statement Sunday, the company wrote:  "We value the diversity of our patients and our employees.  The ad in the Pennysaver for an LPN is totally unacceptable and is offensive to us, and we know to all of you."

The company says it is conducting an investigation to determine how the situation occurred and to make sure it does not happen again.

The company president, Katherine McNally, wrote:  "Please accept our sincere apology.  In particular, we apologize to the entire Haitian community."

Sen. David Carlucci, D-Clarkstown is calling for an investigation into the newspaper that allowed the advertisement and the healthcare company that allegedly placed it in the paper.

"I am outraged at this blatant form of employment discrimination. This company should be ashamed of itself, and Pennysaver should strongly reconsider running any job postings from Interim Healthcare in future publications," Carlucci told LoHud.com.