Login
Search
Twitter
digitalhubdigitalhub
digitalhub
grab news, use news
  • Home
  • the digitalhub
  • All releases
    • Animals
    • Beauty
    • Business and Money
    • Celebrity
    • Family, Parenting and Relationships
    • Fashion
    • Food
    • General Election
    • Health and Nutrition
    • Home
    • Lifestyle
    • Motoring
    • Over-50s
    • Politics
    • Press Release
    • Property
    • Real Life
    • Shopping
    • Sleep
    • Social Media
    • Sport
    • Tech
    • Travel
    • Work
    • 2015 Archive
    • 2014 Archive
  • Register
  • Contact
  • RSS
Menu back  
grab news, use news

Over half of employers are still discriminating applicants against their appearance

February 3, 2020Uncategorized

NEWS COPY

More than half of British employers admitted to making a decision NOT to employ someone - because they didn’t like the way they looked.

A study of 1,000 bosses found that despite UK employment laws banning employers from discriminating against anyone because of their sex, religion or other personal characteristics, many are doing so anyway.

Of the 51 per cent who have knowingly discriminated against someone, 43 per cent didn’t employ the candidate because of their visible tattoos, while four in 10 didn’t approve of their clothes.

Hair colour or style put off three in 10 judgmental bosses, while a further 21 per cent say their interviewee failed to land the job because they had a disability.

Andrew Bush, group HR director at leading hospitality employer Greene King, which commissioned the research ahead of National Apprenticeship Week, said: “Employers should be open-minded and hire people based on potential, rather than just appearance.

“Unfortunately, our research shows many businesses still judge a book by its cover - which means those talented, intelligent and experienced applicants could be overlooked because they don’t conventionally ‘look the part’.

“For us at Greene King, the most important thing is for our people deliver great service and reflect the diverse customers we serve across the country.

"Having a tattoo, or a piercing, doesn’t mean you are unable to do a job efficiently.

"Employers could be discriminating against potentially brilliant candidates.”

The study also found almost half of bosses admitted they can’t 'look beyond' an interviewee’s appearance, despite their ability to do the job.

Just under one third find it harder to ignore visible tattoos when considering a new applicant for a role.

Visible piercings can be a distraction for 28 per cent of employers, while a quarter can’t turn a blind eye to the way someone is dressed.

And nine out of 10 employers say having a smart appearance is important for the positions they normally hire for.

The study found 57 per cent of bosses would be a little more lenient with an applicant’s appearance if they are younger, but the average believes adults should take on a more ‘professional look’ by the time they reach the age of 24.

When it comes to qualifications, employers are just as picky, with 38 per cent reluctant to hire anyone who has dropped out of school.

Those who haven’t made their way through college lack appeal for 30 per cent of bosses, while one quarter wouldn’t consider a candidate who hadn’t been to university.

And despite an overwhelming 85 per cent of those polled claiming they are ‘open minded’ - 37 per cent say the social class of a candidate matters when it comes to their suitability for a job.

Another 21 per cent of those polled, via OnePoll, said they definitely wouldn’t hire someone with a criminal record.

Greene King, which seeks to ‘look beyond’ by working with The Prince’s Trust to support young people into work, and with Novus and Only A Pavement Away to recruit ex-offenders, runs an award-winning apprenticeship programme which is available to all team members.

Andrew Bush added: “It is disappointing to find that in this modern day and age, employers are still discriminating against potential candidates.

“We are committed to celebrating the value that apprenticeships can bring, not just for employers, but for communities and individuals across the nation - with our roles helping team members achieve qualifications and long-term careers in the hospitality industry.

“Our mission is to take on as many talented and passionate people, providing them the opportunity to learn and earn, regardless of their background, appearance, race or disability.”

To find out more about Greene King’s apprenticeship programme, which has supported 12,000 apprentices since 2011, visit www.greeneking.co.uk/work-with-us/join-our-apprenticeship-programme/

ENDS


Related posts
Almost a quarter of drivers have found themselves nodding off to sleep while driving at night
February 3, 2020
The top ten aspects of life Brits monitor on tracking tools revealed
January 21, 2020
Over half of adults feel lonely - and a third think it is down to lack of money
January 20, 2020
Revealed: The top 20 things that boost our confidence
January 17, 2020
Potholes are the single most annoying thing about driving, according to 55 per cent of Brits.
January 14, 2020
Nearly half of adults in the UK are so preoccupied that they can’t ‘live in the moment’ – with stress, money worries and smartphones common distractions.
January 9, 2020
terms of use
All news copy and multimedia on the Digital Hub is free to use as you see fit. Where research has been conducted, we ask that you credit the company which commissioned it
categories
tags
arguments Beauty celebrity children chores Christmas cooking couples dating diet DIY families family fashion Finance food happiness health holiday holidays home house life lifestyle love marriage men money mums parenting parents Press Release property relationships retirement romance sex shopping sleep social media spending technology travel women work
digitalhub
© 72Point

Terms and Conditions • Privacy Policy • Website by Drench Design