A Canadian company’s seemingly innocuous job ad has sparked international outrage after
LinkedIn users spotted a highly offensive and hugely outdated note about preferred applicants.
Toronto-based Vestra Inet took to LinkedIn in search of a content writer and SEO specialist but the standard job description was followed by a rather shocking suggestion.
After outlining job duties and the required skill set, the web design business added the following:
“Please note that the Position required filling in the responsibilities of a receptionist, so female candidates are preferred.”
Canada's Human Rights Act prohibits discrimination on the basis of gender, among other things – failure to comply can result in serious consequences.
Unsurprisingly, Twitter users who stumbled across the ad were quick to share their disdain, including one former employee who spoke candidly about the company.
Another user illustrated how the slip-up could go on to cost the company a number of potential customers.
News outlets around the world also picked up on the HR faux-pas with major names in the UK and America reporting on the story.
