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Original poster

Discriminatory Practice

12 replies

LatteLady · 10/03/2011 14:44

Where I work, we are undergoing major redundancies - I wonder if any of my HR colleagues could comment on the following.

One of the girls rang an agency today and was asked to send a photo through with her CV for them to consider. My gut feeling is that this could possibly be discriminatory as it will show her age and race. I would have no problem if the photo was taken as part of the interview process as an aide memoire but I think without meeting her, it is moving into a grey area.

What do you think?

OP posts:
MrClaypole · 10/03/2011 14:52

It's only discriminatory if someone wins a claim that the agency treated someone differently as a result of their race/ gender/ age etc.

But it's not great practice and as an employer I would be questioning an agency as to why they need to have photos,I certainly would not be using them.

PinkWinged · 10/03/2011 16:20

I don't have a problem with an agency asking for a photo.

Yes, it could be used for discriminatory purposes but presumably they are going to meet the "girl" in due course anyway!

It could be used to see if someone has the sense to dress/ act appropriately in the photo for the business process.

Why don't you ask the question on the CIPD, Linked In or other controlled membership HR boards? I'd be interested in their replies too!

nocake · 10/03/2011 16:26

The agency is opening itself up to all sorts of discrimination claims by asking for a photo. I would ask the agency why they need it.

flowery · 10/03/2011 19:53

Well it's not a discriminatory practice in itself, unless they only ask women, or people with foreign-sounding names or something.

But it does make discrimination a bit more likely, and also harder to deny where it hasn't happened, so it's very poor practice and completely stupid of the agency.

As you say, it's not an aide-memoire thing, so asking for it along with her cv gives the impression it will form part of their assessment of her in terms of a potential candidate for jobs, which is entirely wrong.

RenniesFromHeaven · 10/03/2011 19:56

I have previously worked in an agency (specialist, for a certain chartered profession). We used to roll around on the floor laughing at the photos people sent in with the cvs. We hadn't requested them, and didn't want to see them!

I personally would never send in a photo with a cv and would not, personally, work with an agency which demanded one.

I concur, it is bad practice and reflects badly on that agency.

flowery · 10/03/2011 20:03

When someone sends one in off their own bat without having been asked I have always removed it and disregarded it, and also can't quite work out what the candidate thinks it adds to their application... Do they think a pretty face will detract from cv deficiencies perhaps? Not on your nelly!

RenniesFromHeaven · 10/03/2011 20:06

I think it might be an American import that we should re-export! Mind you, quite a lot of my colleagues now have a 'corporate' photo - done hair, makeup, blue background, suspicious of photoshopping etc - for use on LinkedIn etc. I find it quite odd!

(from someone who claims their image no longer appears on photographic film)

flowery · 10/03/2011 20:11

That's a good point, loads of people are on LinkedIn now and most have a photo. And now I think about it, when I look someone up on LinkedIn and there's no photo it irritates me. Shock Although I think it's because I expect there to be one and I'm nosy Grin

Still very poor practice to ask for one though.

RenniesFromHeaven · 10/03/2011 20:32

LinkedIn... kind of like it, kind of hate it. There are discussions on the soft n flufy fora there about 'Would you refuse to do business with someone who doesn't have a photo on their profile?'

I always feel like writing - how do you think I'm gonna look? I'm an approaching 40 mother of two who works all hours I AM NOT PUTTING MY MUG UP HERE FOR TWENTYSOMETHINGS TO LAUGH AT.

Mebbe that's just me.

(slight off topic diversion, sorry!)

flowery · 10/03/2011 20:36

Interesting diversion though. :)

I hate having my picture up, but the fact is it does help. I started off with no photo on my website either until I had a chorus of well-informed people telling me it should be there and people would be more likely to contact me if they saw my face as it would feel more personal and friendly.

So I put it up, and for the same reason I now have it on my LinkedIn profile, and my profile on networking groups' websites and my newsletter. Fact is, it does help business, rightly or wrongly.

But I think it's a friendly, welcoming expression that achieves that as opposed to any especially high standard of looks..!

RenniesFromHeaven · 10/03/2011 20:39

I think you have put your finger on the problem - friendly and welcoming, no... no... no... - that would not be me!

littleducks · 10/03/2011 20:43

It is common practice abroad i think, in the US and parts of Europe

i reckon the agency do it so the can be sure of finding the right 'you' on facebook!

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