Ad for Dublin office job says that people with young children ‘need not apply’

An ad for a job in Dublin stating that people with young children needn't apply has been deemed "shocking" by a recruitment expert.

The ad is for a job with a Malahide-based oil company and was posted on recruitment website Indeed. It advertises a role for an office worker who will be needed for "answering the phone and computer skills." The applicant should have a good knowledge of the Dublin area, the job listing reads, and it's noted that "persons with young children need not apply." The ad has since been removed from Indeed. The ad has been described as "shocking" by Donal O’Donoghue,  Managing Director of Sanderson Recruitment Ireland. It reflects that some employers are "stuck in the past," he said.

“It’s shocking that there still a small number of companies out there that think this way. "It’s not indicative of the majority but there is still a bit of distance to go, to ensure that all companies comply with the Equal Status Act."

The Equal Status Acts ban, among other things, discriminatory advertising.

"Most employers recruit fairly but unfortunately there is still a small number who are stuck in the past," Mr O'Donoghue continued. "This isn’t not common practice and these companies who aren’t complicit with the Equal Status Act, have a long way to go. "It’s not acceptable and up to hiring managers and HR personnel not to tolerate this behavior.”