Woman says birthmark hindering her job search

A unique birthmark is hampering 23-year-old Westmoreland native Roxanne Spiller from securing employment as prospective employers are seemingly turned off by the feature which covers almost half of her face.

"Please don't judge me because of my physical appearance because I know I can add value to the workforce," said Miller, who just wants to be given a chance to prove herself. "I am willing to do my best ... I have my daughter to take care of. I love and value myself ... my birthmark doesn't bother me, but when the doors are shut in my face, I feel really bad. I just need something so I can help my family and my daughter. I am appealing to the prime minister as well; I just need a job."

Despite being bullied because of her appearance while attending the Frome Technical High School, also in Westmoreland, Spiller graduated with a combined total of of 11 CXC and CAPE subjects.

"I got bullied ... but it wasn't really that difficult for me because I have a very good personality, but people would still call me names and stare," said Spiller. "They would call me 'half face' and 'black gyal' and dem summen deh. After a while my schoolmates would get used to me and started talking to me."

After graduating from high school, Spiller tried getting on the farm work programme but was not successful.

"I worked at a sugar factory in Westmoreland, and I worked throughout my pregnancy, but I didn't get a call back after I had the baby. Probably it was because my baby was too young why they didn't call me back for the second round of crop," Spiller said.

"None of the employers didn't come clear and told me outright, but they asked about my birthmark, and they asked how would I manage the work with the mark. I have applied at hotels, and they asked me how I would deal with the situation if someone come up and asked me," she said. "I have my subjects, but I just can't get a job. I have been on several interviews and the issue of the birthmark always comes up and I never get a call back."

Spiller said she recently applied to join the security forces and passed the exam, and was waiting on the physical assessment, when the issue of her birthmark surfaced again.

"I called to check up what was happening and the person on the other line asked about the birthmark, and they said they weren't sure if I was going to pass the medical, because normally they don't allow persons with such distinguished features in the field. It made me feel really terrible ... I felt ashamed," she said.

Unable to secure a job and having a young child to take care of, Spiller has turned to TikTok in the hope of securing an income from doing live sessions. However, her hope is to secure permanent employment.

"I really want a career even if it's in the fire department. Persons always telling me about call centres but none is in Westmoreland and I know persons who travel all the way to Montego Bay. But time, and how far I live, is kinda difficult. Also, I would want a lasting career," she said.