BEAUTY is in the eye of the employer

Posted by Jim Stroud

November 28, 2007

tyra BEAUTY is in the eye of the employer when it comes to finding staff for Scotland’s fashion sector. An ugly row has erupted over the increasingly common practice among clothes retailers, style bars and other fashion-conscious employers of demanding that job candidates include a photo with their CV.

One major fashion chain has already abandoned the controversial recruitment policy after taking legal advice that the requirement could discriminate against “aesthetically challenged” job applicants.

Designer retailer Cult, which has outlets in Glasgow and Edinburgh, had stated on its website and on in-store posters that it would only consider CVs from candidates who included photos.

The firm claimed the policy was introduced because “we found it easier to remember a face rather than a name”.

But complaints from disgruntled applicants have led to the requirement being abandoned by the firm, whose clothes are targeted at trendy twenty-somethings.

The company said: “We want to stress that it was nothing to do with judging people on how they look and we have a diverse workforce.

“Nevertheless, we have taken legal advice and, while the policy is not necessarily illegal, we accept that some people could take it as being discriminatory. We will no longer insist on people sending photos with their CVs in future. We are keen to meet people and allow their personality to shine through.”

But the equally trendy designer outlet Joy, which recently opened a branch in Glasgow and is preparing to open in Edinburgh, also insists that potential “style advisers and supervisors” include a picture along with their employment history. No one from the firm was available to comment.

READ: Job hunting gets ugly as staff are picked on looks