Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to think that employers requesting photos on job applications..

39 replies

Strumpetron · 31/10/2013 21:41

are in the wrong?

A woman I know has applied for a job and they've requested a photo. They've also said that 'they really care about appearance with it being such a prestigious company so I'd advise against any blue or green makeup' Hmm

This rings massive alarm bells to me, although she's said it looks like a brilliant company.

Any thoughts?

OP posts:
ilovesooty · 31/10/2013 21:43

Dodgy request and potentially discriminatory.

QueenBoudicea · 31/10/2013 21:43

Definitely wrong imo. They shouldn't be asking for dob either.

TheBuggerlugsThatActuallyPosts · 31/10/2013 21:43

This reply has been withdrawn

This post has been withdrawn due to privacy concerns.

LEMisafucker · 31/10/2013 21:44

Doesn't sound like the sort of company i would want to work for - shallow much?

Original poster
Strumpetron · 31/10/2013 21:45

Glad I'm not alone in thinking this, thought I was being a bit... Confused

They're extremely stupid I think, could easily open themselves up to a discrimination case

OP posts:
AgentProvocateur · 31/10/2013 21:51

Hideous, but I'm not sure that it would be discriminatory under equality act. Ugliness isn't a protected characteristic so unless they were only looking for young or female good looking people...

It would be a very interesting court case

SingySongy · 31/10/2013 21:53

Ally McBeal would have a field day...

beals692 · 31/10/2013 22:05

What kind of job is it? What 'prestigious company'? I'm curious now! Unless it's something like modelling though it sounds a bit dodgy. Is it a big recruitment campaign/something from Head Office or does it look like it's some sexist, 'laddish' local manager whose decided to get himself "a fit bird" for the office.

Tbh, I wouldn't think a company was 'prestigious' or particularly good if their recruitment criteria was focused on what their staff looked like. I'd rather have products/services from people who know their subject area, have good customer service skills etc instead of someone chosen based on the colour of make-up they wear.

xCupidStuntx · 31/10/2013 22:05

Disgraceful!!

somethingwillturnup · 31/10/2013 22:07

Oh I've had this. I sent a photo that I had taken...I wasn't to know it was actually a photo of me they wanted, was I? Wink

utreas · 31/10/2013 22:07

I don't think its discriminatory but it sounds silly

Original poster
Strumpetron · 31/10/2013 22:07

She hasn't expanded on what the job is, thing is she's absolutely lovely, has an amazing personality and she's beautiful so I don't want her selling herself short in this company, but I don't know her well enough to ward her against it. I've mentioned how I wouldn't go for it myself and wished her luck

OP posts:
NotMeNotYouNotAnyone · 31/10/2013 22:08

They do it cause they can get away with it because so many people won't care that it's a shitty thing to do and will go along with it

First impressions count. At least in an interview you're there in person to influence the impression you give. In a photo it's a split second and that's it.

I read an article some time ago on the bbc news site (sorry no link) that said some non-white-British people found more opportunities if they used more traditionally British names. Which is shit. So I would be wary that the company would judge people based on race from the photo as for most people, that's not something you can hide.

Yes, a company should be able to insist that employees are smart and professional in appearance because if they are the side that customers see it does matter, regardless of whether that's right or wrong. But basically looking for pretty people is ridiculous.

crazyspaniel · 31/10/2013 22:08

I know that when I graduated in the late 90s, lots of advertising agencies used to request photos as part of the application for their graduate training scheme. Put me right off.

EBearhug · 31/10/2013 22:17

some non-white-British people found more opportunities if they used more traditionally British names.

I can believe that, having seen a manager go through CVs and discarding most of the non-British-looking names on the grounds he wouldn't understand the accent. Given they're just as likely to have grown up locally and it was an international company who had to deal with people all round the world on a daily basis, most of whom didn't have English as a first language, let alone have an RP action, I felt he was basically saying he couldn't do his job properly.

It'd be much better if HR sent the CVs through with no names, just Candidate 1, Candidate 2 and so on, so they actually look at the qualifications and experience.

phantomnamechanger · 31/10/2013 22:17

some non-white-British people found more opportunities if they used more traditionally British names.

this does not surprise me, sadly - my friends DH is African and has a very English first name and speaks the queens english (RP) because he was boarding school educated in the UK - he uses a british surname for his profession because people DO judge unusual sounding names.

SunshineSuperNova · 31/10/2013 22:19

There's an ad locally asking for photos with applications.

It's for waitressing roles, not modelling.

ReallyTired · 31/10/2013 22:23

If an employer can prove that looks are directly linked to the role then its fair to ask for a photo.

Legally its a can of worms discriminating on the basis of a photo. (Ie. if someone has a horrenous skin disfigurement applies to be a computer programmer.)

I don't know where the law stands on discrimating against ugly or fat people as waitresses.

SkinnedAlive · 31/10/2013 22:24

Is it a foreign company? In some countries its the norm to have a photo with your CV.

Original poster
Strumpetron · 31/10/2013 22:27

Legally its a can of worms discriminating on the basis of a photo. (Ie. if someone has a horrenous skin disfigurement applies to be a computer programmer

That's the point I was trying to make. On the face of it it's not illegal discrimination, but if they denied someone who was of a racial minority of had a physical disability, it could be said they'd done so on that basis after seeing their photo.

I just think it's an overall shoddy way to have applications. Does it matter what they look like as long as they're clean, smart and can do the job :(

OP posts:
Original poster
Strumpetron · 31/10/2013 22:27

No idea if it's a foreign company skinned

OP posts:
Pollaidh · 01/11/2013 14:54

I seem to recall from government diversity training that photos, age, race etc should all be removed from CVS before they are viewed. I think even name is removed in govt to avoid casual bias re gender or race, but govt is probably more careful than private sector. In other countries photo is standard, in the UK it may be legal but if you were refused a job before interview stage you could possibly claim discrimination due to age, race, gender. It would be a hassle though.

Thumbfuckerwitch · 01/11/2013 14:56

I had to send in a photo when I applied for a job in an NHS hospital lab - seemed to be normal practice back in the 90s - didn't really question it. Not exactly a customer-liaison role either...

nethunsreject · 01/11/2013 14:57

Hobbs used to ask that a photo be attached to application forms for sales assistants. No idea if it's still done

gobbynorthernbird · 01/11/2013 15:07

It completely depends on what the job is. Lots of things are 'sold' on image or lifestyle, so it'd be understandable in some areas. There's also a fair few issues with people not knowing how to present themselves properly; as in, lack of personal grooming, no idea what office attire would consist of, visible tattoos and piercings or wacky hair colours are sometimes inappropriate. This wouldn't matter a jot for some roles, but would make a huge difference in others.