The Equality and Human Rights Commission has warned that thousands of people could be at risk of being denied jobs and services each year due to unlawful, discriminatory adverts. Complaints about adverts which discriminate against older workers or on the basis of sex appear the most common, but people are also being prevented from having a fair shot at work opportunities because of their disability, ethnicity, sexual orientation and other characteristics, according to evidence gathered by the Commission. 

Examples of complaints include:

• Sex and age discrimination, e.g. an advert for a ‘Saturday boy’ to work in a garage.
• Age discrimination by stating that those over 45 need not apply and by just seeking ‘young’ workers.
• Race discrimination by recruitment agencies advertising solely in foreign languages, e.g. vacancies for drivers only advertised in Polish. 

The Commission has published two new guides for those placing and publishing adverts to help them advertise in line with the law: ‘Advertising: Frequently asked questions about what is lawful advertising for jobs, facilities and services and accommodation’ and ‘Advertising: A good practice checklist for advertisers and publishers’.

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