One UK recruitment agency is facing backlash after posting an overtly sexist picture alongside a secretary position – then defending their decision!
Employers often adopt novel tactics in an attempt to attract the best applicants – but one UK recruitment agency is facing public backlash after their “creativity” was deemed more than a little crass.
ICS Recruitment placed the controversial job advert (below) across several media platforms including LinkedIn, Twitter and Instagram.
The accompanying text reads: “Secretary required in Mayfair. Stockings optional! £35k. Ready to assume the position? Contact ICS Recruitment now.”
The image, ripped from an early-noughties cult film of the same name, did not go down well and many people took to Twitter to voice their disdain.
.@ICSRecruitment Hey this role sounds great. Can I still apply even if I believe in treating women with respect?
— Stevie Buckley (@StevieBuckley) March 6, 2015
Unbelievably inappropriate! Shame on you @ICSRecruitment for this 'job ad' pic.twitter.com/PfjZNoHk8F
— Benedikt Lehnert (@blehnert) March 6, 2015
However, rather than accept they’d slipped up and made a serious error in judgement, ICS Recruitment decided to push ahead and defend their decision.
@KristenSousa @bencorbally @thomashaynes_ it is indeed! It's a #cult movie called #theSecretary pre cursor to #50Shades
— ICS.JOBS (@ICSRecruitment) March 3, 2015
@bencorbally obviously you are not au fait with #GoldenGlobe nominated classics. Stick to #RonJeremy esque tut…
— ICS.JOBS (@ICSRecruitment) March 3, 2015
Eventually the unapologetic agency removed all trace of the original add. What do you think? Was the ad way over the line or just a witty way to entice new recruits?
