Popular ticket sales platform SeatGeek is facing backlash after a job offer offering up to $175,000 and benefits such as $25,000 in “gender-affirming care” benefits sparked online outrage and further criticism of the company’s pricing.
The company is looking for an Analytics Engineer to join the SeatGeek team. data teamnoting that candidates must have a “strong opinion” on how data should guide decision-making.
In addition to a salary scale of $121,000 to $175,000, the registration highlights a range of benefits, including mental health memberships, unlimited paid time off (PTO), four months of fully paid family leave, remote or in-office work options, a home office allowance, and a student loan matching program.
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The SeatGeek ticket app on a smartphone. (Gabby Jones/Bloomberg via Getty Images / Getty Images)
THE application also includes a section titled “Voluntary Demographic Questions,” asking applicants to identify their gender as “male, female, non-binary, third gender, prefer not to say, or prefer to describe themselves.”
Prospective employees can also indicate whether they consider themselves “a member of the LGBTQ+ community.”
Critics have expressed concerns about the appropriateness of the prompts, and some social media users have called for a boycott of the platform.
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SeatGeek lists a number of gender options on its job application, including “third gender.”
Several people wondered if the $25,000 could be used to elective surgeries that are unrelated to gender reassignment, while others pointed out that the four months of paid family leave seemed unnecessary given unlimited PTO.
“Private companies can offer incentives to their employees. If it’s still legal and if that’s the kind of employee they want to attract,” wrote user X @dank1j in a comment on a message shared by @LibsofTikTok. “Of course, those who are not transgender should be able to get breast augmentation or other plastic surgery. I would be PO if they don’t get tattoos.”
User @WomanDefiner said they would like to put the funds toward men’s “self-care.”
“I need $25,000 to affirm my gender as a biological male,” @WomanDefiner wrote. “I’m going on a fishing trip. It’s called self-care.”
SeatGeek CEO Jack Groetzinger testifies at a 2023 Senate Judiciary Committee hearing. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images / Getty Images)
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The generous pay and benefits also reignited debate over the company’s high ticket prices and accusations of price gouging.
“I would conclude that their prices are inflated, if they can offer such expensive ‘perks,'” wrote user @Mayhawwoman.
User @Gentrywgevers added: “This also proves they are price gouging if they can afford to offer this.”
Others, like user @AmericanPamia, suggested lower prices for everyone so “they can save their own money for their own preferences.”
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SeatGeek said the demographic questions are voluntary and used to “measure our own diversity and inclusion efforts” in accordance with Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) reporting requirements.
Questions about gender and sexual identification are standard and voluntary in many countries. Job applications in the United States for EEO compliance.
SeatGeek did not immediately respond to FOX Business’ request for comment.
