A London recruitment agency, Matching Models, has been heavily criticised for posting job adverts on their website for “attractive women”, a “sexy female driver”, and a PA with “a classic look, brown long hair with b-c cup”.
The agency, which describes itself as “an international temp agency for beautiful and talented people”, has been used by firms such as Coca-Cola, MTV, Louis Vuitton and Harrods. Unsurprisingly, their approach to recruitment has come under fire as being offensive and discriminatory but they say “it is almost politically incorrect to request someone to work for you that is both attractive as well as professionally equipped with the right set of skills”.
There is no doubt that the adverts would fall foul of sex, and potentially age, discrimination law. In some cases, employers can justify discrimination if they can show that it was in order to satisfy a genuine occupational requirement but Matching Models’ defence, that they’re a company that “understands the importance of having the right people … because after all, impressions count”, is unlikely to wash.
This agency, as with any company that discriminates during the recruitment process, could face claims from unsuccessful applicants with uncapped liability for compensation where claims succeed.