Employment laws/guidlines

[Jbr]

Does anyone know if it is illegal for employers to ask for photographs with cvs or at open days? I was told by a Job Centre employee that they "aren't supposed to do it" but not being supposed to is a lot different from it actually being illegal.

I went to a job interview which was like an open day and they wanted passport pictures. I am sure they didn't even look at the application forms and just went through saying "I don't like the look of them".

Can anyone quote the law for me?

It is not illegal to ask for a photo with your cv, it IS illegal if you can prove that they were biased against your application as a result of it.

Photos are generally requested if you have to wear an ID badge as part of your job. So if you were ever employed by that company in the future, they have your photo all ready to stick onto an ID badge for you. County councils and colleges do this all the time.

I can understand it about ID badges but surely they would only ask when you have got the job, if only to save themselves space (having to put them all somewhere) and candidates the expense (passport photos are not cheap, especially when you don't get them back).

I reckon the only purpose they could want them for is to make a decision based on what someone looks like. If photos are needed for ID badges, they could ask for them when you have been given the job.

A job I rang up about didn't mention the
photo in the ad but they mentioned it on the phone. If they were sure they weren't doing anything wrong I think they would have mentioned it in the ad.

Yes, you have a point. A lot of photos are just used for your personnel file. The county council where I used to work did that. There's nothing wrong in it though, and they certainly didn't let it bias their opinions when it came to interviews.

A lot of employers keep records of interviewees in case they find a suitable opening for you, or if you wanted to be placed on the casual register.

Was the job you applied for with a large company? It's fairly common in large companies but if it was for a sales company, I would be suspicious and ask for their reasons for wanting a photo. If they can't provide a good enough reason, then I would report them.

Receptionist job. I understand they want smart people and friendly people but part of me thinks they'll just be saying " I don't like the look of them". Anyway I didn't send a picture, it didn't say so in the advert. I only found out I had to when I rang - but they don't know it was me who rang! If they think it is ok to ask for photographs wouldn't they be more open about it?

Thanks.