UK: Employer told not to post advert for 'reliable' workers -discriminates against 'unreliable'

The Daily Mail (U.K.) ^ | Januray 26, 2009

[Stoat]

A job centre has been slammed for refusing to display an advert for a 'reliable workers' - because it discriminated against unreliable applicants.   
 

Recruitment boss Nicole Mamo, 48, tried to post an advert for a £5.80-an-hour domestic cleaner on her local Jobcentre Plus website.
 

She ended the job offer by saying that any applicants for the post 'must be very reliable and hard-working'.

But when Ms Mamo called the Jobcentre Plus in Thetford, Norfolk, the following day she was told that her advert would not be displayed.

(edit)

'She said "oh we can't put that advert on the job points".
 

'She said it was because they could have cases against them for discriminating against unreliable people.  
 

'I laughed because I thought that was crazy. We supply the NHS with staff so it's very important for the patients that we have reliable workers.
 

'We find jobs for hundreds of temporary staff every week and are proud of our workers but our reputation is at stake if they aren't reliable.
 

'We are taking people off the dole and finding them jobs so not displaying the advert just seems absolutely ridiculous to me.'

 

[Stoat]

My apologies for the severe editing of this article...this was done in order to remain in compliance with Free Republic rules pertaining to articles from the UK Daily Mail.  Please click on the main article link to see the full story.

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Translation Assistance:

NHS

The National Health Service

NHS Choices Homepage - Your health, your choices

National Health Service - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

Nicole Mamo, director of Devonwood Recruitment was stunned when a job centre in Thetford, Norfolk, said she could not include the phrase 'reliable and hard working' in her advert

 

[Stoat]

Unreliable workers in healthcare ping

[GeronL]

PCUK alert

[ilovesarah2012]

You can’t make this stuff up!

[swain_forkbeard]

I know a lampoon when I see one, and I remain convinced that this MUST BE satire. Any other conclusion might induce permanent neural damage.

[Dallas59]

Obammy must’ve gone through that agency.

[Brookhaven]

Reliable and hard-working are vague concepts. Truth is everyone probably considers themselves reliable (just as Obama considers himself a man of the people).

A better tactic is to advertise for some concrete measurement: “Looking for people that will be late for work no more than once a month and show up 10 minutes early all other days.”

[Responsibility2nd]

 

 

"You can't discriminate against unreliable workers?

 

Cool!"

 

 

[Stevenc131]

“She ended the job offer by saying that any applicants for the post ‘must be very reliable and hard-working’.”

Not only discriminated against the unreliable individuals, but also the lazy ones. Sounds like she needs a little diversity training.

[RushIsMyTeddyBear]

If remember correctly (because it was years ago standing in one of these gazing at white cards for a job) the ‘job centres’ in the UK are ‘government entities’.

[ConservaTexan]

Does the Federal Election Commission have a similar policy regarding candidates?

[Stoat]

the ‘job centres’ in the UK are ‘government entities’

Indeed...even the web URL contains '.gov.uk'

http://www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk/JCP/index.html

[Reaganesque]

I can see it now: “Wanted: Neurosurgeon. No experience necessary. Will train.”

And here’s a thought, why be concerned about unreliable people suing? Chances are they won’t show up for the trial so, why worry?

[Slings and Arrows]

[RushIsMyTeddyBear]

Thanks, Stoat. :)

[Darksheare]

I thought the point of advertising for employees was to get workers who you can rely on..?

[autumnraine]

I’ve slipped in a wormhole haven’t I? Tell me I have. Tell me I somehow tripped over a rock and am on some other plane of the multiverse and this is NOT HAPPENING.

Please?

[WOBBLY BOB]

I think TSA workers are hired via this agency.

[Darksheare]

Probably!
*airline traveller Grunting* “Ma’am, if you need a date, just ask!”
TSA worker, “I’m not a woman.”

[WOBBLY BOB]

“Looking for people that will be late for work no more than 3 times a month and no later than 1 hour per occurrence and show up 5 minutes early all other days. Mouth- breathers OK, weekly shower encouraged, but not required. .Previously gubermint experience,non-violent felons,and narcoleptics welcomed. Smokers need not apply”.