Advice needed - discrimination in job application?

Oooi

Some people here really are being less than helpful. If you don't have anything nice to say...

I don't see what the problem is in allowing someone to apply for a job using a CV? Why should they have to find a computer, visit a possibly insecure website and enter the EXACT SAME information again, just to please the bosses of a crappy retailer? She isn't applying to be a doctor or anything, it seem stupid and possibly illegal to make such a demand.

Takeaway_Addict

Oooi wrote: »

I am asking this on behalf of a friend. She is in her 40s and currently looking for a job as she has been out of work for nearly a year. She has a cv and has been round all local shops and businesses to enquire about vacancies and hand out cvs. Although she has not found a job yet, most places take the cv to apply for any vacancy they have, some say they keep them on file and will call if anything comes up.

She had a problem with one particular chain restaurant however. The manager told her he did not accept paper cvs and that she must go to a special website and fill out an online application. My friend is not very internet savvy and is wary of giving personal information over the internet. She also has all the information the company needs on her cv so it seems pointless filling out a form with the same information!

Are they really allowed to do this though is my question? To me it seems as though this discriminates against someone who is not internet savvy, perhaps the company only wants young staff? It also does't seem right that you can be forced to give all your personal details to a company on a website that might not be secure, you also don't know who is going to be able to see your data.

It doesn't seem right to me at all and other friends agree. Does anyone here have any advice?

Learn how to use a computer...

tomtontom

Oooi wrote: »

Some people here really are being less than helpful. If you don't have anything nice to say...

I don't see what the problem is in allowing someone to apply for a job using a CV? Why should they have to find a computer, visit a possibly insecure website and enter the EXACT SAME information again, just to please the bosses of a crappy retailer? She isn't applying to be a doctor or anything, it seem stupid and possibly illegal to make such a demand.

1. It is not illegal, not even possibly.

2. Requiring people to apply online helps the employer to weed out lazy applicants with poor attitudes.

Takeaway_Addict

Oooi wrote: »

Some people here really are being less than helpful. If you don't have anything nice to say...

I don't see what the problem is in allowing someone to apply for a job using a CV? Why should they have to find a computer, visit a possibly insecure website and enter the EXACT SAME information again, just to please the bosses of a crappy retailer? She isn't applying to be a doctor or anything, it seem stupid and possibly illegal to make such a demand.

Prove its illegal?

If that's how they want people to apply then so be it, if she wants to work for a 'crappy' retailer then she needs to do as they request.

Maybe she could run her own business and allow CV's?

PlutoinCapricorn

Unfortunately, the power is with the recruiters. You just have to follow whatever application procedures they request.

There was a time when few people were required to produce even a paper CV: you just sent a letter of application or went in and asked in person. Requesting formal CVs for most jobs might have appeared to be discrimination against people who were not too literate, but people had to move with the times.

DCFC79

Oooi wrote: »

Some people here really are being less than helpful. If you don't have anything nice to say...

I don't see what the problem is in allowing someone to apply for a job using a CV? Why should they have to find a computer, visit a possibly insecure website and enter the EXACT SAME information again, just to please the bosses of a crappy retailer? She isn't applying to be a doctor or anything, it seem stupid and possibly illegal to make such a demand.

Don't see what's wrong with the replies.

Nothing wrong with having to go online and apply for jobs, its the norm these days.

powerful_Rogue

Oooi wrote: »

Some people here really are being less than helpful. If you don't have anything nice to say...

That line is often used in this forum when people dont like the answers they are receiving.

I don't see what the problem is in allowing someone to apply for a job using a CV?

Because its 2014 and thats the way many companies operate in todays modern age.

Why should they have to find a computer, visit a possibly insecure website and enter the EXACT SAME information again, just to please the bosses of a crappy retailer?

But it might not be the exact same information they require that is on the CV. Plus all CV's are different. By making everyone apply in the same way the retailer gets the information they need from each applicant.

Plus the website will tell you details about the position available such as salary/hours etc

More often then not, the shop wont even see the information. All applications will goto the companies HR who will decide who to invite for an interview.

She isn't applying to be a doctor or anything

Lucky really, as they really a LOT on computers, especially as they move with the time and use electronic prescriptions!

it seem stupid and possibly illegal to make such a demand.

The only thing criminal is that your friend is 40 years old, been out of work a year and in all that time has not taken it upon herself to get on a free course to learn how to use a computer/internet.

browneyedbazzi

Just because you don't like something does not make it illegal.

You might not understand the benefits of a standardised online application system but employers do - it saves them time (and therefore money) and as others have said it also weeds out lazy and computer illiterate people from the application process.

Oooi wrote: »

Why should they have to find a computer, visit a possibly insecure website and enter the EXACT SAME information again, just to please the bosses of a crappy retailer?

Because they want a job and it is up to the employer whether or not they get it.

TBeckett100

It's common practice to also search facebook, Google street view your home and look at other social media and web presence. We once had a CV in. Looking at her facebook profile, she was necking a redbull. Not for us.

swingaloo

Maybe the applications are not being dealt with instore by the 'crappy manager' but instead being dealt with by the HR team at head office. Your friend really needs to have an attitude change and update their skills, its hard enough to compete in the job market without making it more difficult for yourself by being so pedantic.


If your friend wants to work for a company then accepting the way they want you to apply is the first step.


Our local Lidl have a board outside advertising vacancies but the application must be done online and goes to on office 75 miles away. They wont accept a hand delivered CV instore and rightly so.


An employer wants someone who can show initiative, follow instructions, adapt to challenges and learn new skills. Your friend is showing that she cant, or is reluctant, to do either of these things.