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Popular ticketing platform SeatGeek is facing backlash after posting a job offer of up to $175,000 and benefits such as $25,000 in “gender-affirming care” benefits has sparked outrage online and renewed criticism of the company’s pricing.
The company is looking for a statistical engineer to join SeatGeek’s data team, noting that applicants should have a “strong sense” of how data should drive decision-making.
Along with a salary range of $121,000 to $175,000, the list highlights a number of benefits, including mental health registration, unlimited paid time off (PTO), four months of fully paid family leave, remote or office work options, home office allowance and a student loan matching program.
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The SeatGeek ticketing app on a smartphone. (Gabby Jones/Bloomberg via Getty Images/Getty Images)
The app also includes a section labeled “Voluntary Demographic Questions,” which asks candidates to identify their gender as “male, female, non-binary, third gender, preferring not to state or choosing to self-identify.”
Potential employees can also indicate if they consider themselves “a member of the LGBTQ+ community.”
Critics have raised concerns about the validity of the warnings, with some social media users calling for a boycott of the platform.
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SeatGeek lists a number of gender options in its job application, including a “third gender.”
Many people questioned whether the $25,000 could be used for special surgery unrelated to sex reassignment, while others pointed out that four months of paid family leave seemed unnecessary given the unlimited PTO.
“Private companies can offer benefits to workers. If it’s legal and it’s the type of worker they want to attract,” X user @dank1j wrote in a comment on a post shared by @LibsofTikTok. “Of course those who don’t change should be able to substitute breast augmentation or other plastic surgery. I’d be PO’d if they didn’t do a pony for my tattoo.”
User @WomanDefiner commented that she would like to invest in men’s grooming.
“I need 25k to confirm my gender as a living male,” wrote @WomanDefiner. “I’m going on a fishing trip. It’s called taking care of ourselves.”
Jack Groetzinger, CEO of SeatGeek, testifies during a 2023 Senate Judiciary Committee hearing. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images/Getty Images)
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Open pay and benefits have also sparked debate about the company’s high ticket prices and allegations of price cuts.
“I can only assume that their prices have gone up, if they can offer ‘benefits’ that are so expensive,” wrote user @Mayhawwoman.
User @Gentrywgevers added, “This also proves that they are raising prices if they can give you this.”
Others, like user @AmericanPamia, suggested lower prices for all so they can “save their money as they please.”
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SeatGeek said the statistical questions are voluntary and are used to “measure our diversity and inclusion efforts” in accordance with Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) reporting requirements.
Questions about gender and sexual identification are standard and optional in most US job applications for EEO compliance.
SeatGeek did not immediately respond to FOX Business’ request for comment.
