Ageism

[juggler]

I am all for employment being available for everyone who applies of whatever age. However, I do feel that the new policy of Asda to have no space for applicants to put there age on work applications is going too far. They may of course have a box to tick i.e. 16-25, over 60, etc. but if rough age is totally unkown - this surely is pandering to the PC brigade.

[jake-the-peg]

It is not the PC brigade it is the law or rather will be from the first of October.

Putting age or DOB on an application form is clearly implying a decision will be made on that basis which would most probably be illegal.

[Catso]

Going too far?! I can think of many other PC things that could be so described, but hardly this.

The reason Adsa gave was that since their recruitment policies didn't discriminate on age grounds, they didn't even need to know the persons age. So why bother to ask it?

[Oneeyedvic]

"The reason Adsa gave was that since their recruitment policies didn't discriminate on age grounds, they didn't even need to know the persons age."

Oh dear - since they ask the gender of the applicant, I can only assume by their own standards that they sexually discriminate their candidates.

[youngmafbog]

Pretty pointless not putting it on really, just look at the job record of the applicant that should give you an approximate age !
Its ludicrous anyway, if they dont want some one young or old the discrimination (if it really is that as age can have a bearing for some jobs) will just occurr at interview time, then everyone's time is wasted.

[saxy_jag]

I never, ever, put my name on my CV. If someone is capable of doing a job, then it shouldn't matter how old they are.

[saxy_jag]

I never, ever, put my date of birth on my CV. If someone is capable of doing a job, then it shouldn't matter how old they are.

[saxy_jag]

Read the second post, not the first. Although sometimes, not giving my name sounds like a good idea.

[jake-the-peg]

How do you know Asda ask what gender someone is Dick? I'd be surprised if they did or have you been applying to them recently :c)

Seriously though the point is to elliminate questions which are *inherently* prejudicial. There are valid reasons for asking somebody's past experience. If you're simply asking for somebody's gender or age then you're clearly saying that this information is pertinent to the job regardless of any experience

[Dizzieblonde]

For some jobs, surely the age is pertinent - although possibly not for Asda, although some of the manual behind-the-scenes work may require a certain level of physical fitness. Could you not argue against putting your name, place of birth or marital status on applications though?

[Oneeyedvic]

JTP - when I read this story I went onto Asda's website and there is an area where you can fill in an online application form.

Speaking from an employer's perspective, if I did send out an application form and someone sent it in incomplete, that person wouldn't get an interview (unless they enclosed a letter giving their reasons).

All decisions with regards giving someone a job are based on past prejudices - from the name ( I knew a person called X once and they were ok), through to schooling (oh they went to Y school, they must be clever).

[jake-the-peg]

That is true Dic the point is that is why I asterisked inherently in my last post.

You did spot that didn't you? Did you miss what I meant?

Some information like school background can contain information that can be interpreted in a valid way as well as in a predudicial way others like race or gender cannot (for most jobs).

I'm really surprised to hear that they ask gender on the form although in many cases it's obvious from the applicant's name I can't imagine they need to know this

[dot.hawkes]

are you the freak that thinks it is a laugh to post stupid comments about me? Bet you thought you had posted that one today in another id didn't you? I have emailed the ed to see if the new ed will actually get tough with gits like you and stop all this *****. You have been on this site a few years now, I don;'t know why you think it is right to do this stuff. i will bug the hell out of you now, trust me, I won;'t let this one go.