Thursday, 09 February 2012

Dispatches programme highlights discrimination

Tue, 10 Feb 2009

Recruiters have refuted claims of age discrimination made in a  Channel 4 programme last night.

The Dispatches programme featured Martin Lloyd-Penny, founder of the Mature Accountant recruitment agency, and his 25-year-old daughter.

Each registered with the same six or seven accountancy recruiters, none of whom were named. However, whereas Lloyd-Penny’s daughter, a Cambridge graduate about to qualify as an ACA, was contacted by one agency early the next morning,  the same agencies managed to ‘lose’ his CV.

Among the reasons agencies gave Lloyd-Penny for not contacting him were he was overqualified, and that he might get bored. One said it had nothing to offer him, despite 30 years’ experience as an  accountant up to financial director level.

Marc Kirsch, managing director of Accountancy Action, told Recruiter: “We put forward the best person for the role, regardless of age, or race or any of the other things we are not allowed to do these days.”                                                         

Michelle Gibbs, a senior consultant at Nigel Lynn, told Recruiter that  she was wasn’t surprised this sort of thing happens. However, she adds: “It’s not something that has been an issue for us and is quite contrary to the way we operate as a business because we don’t discriminate in any way.” 

Readers' comments (2)

  • Robert Dennett | Tue, 10 Feb 2009 1:45 pm

    I have been the victim of age discrimination from a variety of agencies and head hunters over the past few years. The most common reply that I have received when applying for posts that I am emminently qualified for is "over qualified" (basically too old at the age of 60.
    Becoming ever more frustrated by this attitude I accepted an offer to become an Associate Partner with SAM Head Hunting UK where my extensive experience is enabling me to make a difference, from within a company that holds no prejudices, to an industry sector that is noted for age, and as has been demonstrated by recent legal actions, race discrimination.
    I must also add that the recruitment industry is not alone in this discrimination, employers are equally guilty but the recruitment sector appears to be doing doing nothing to change this at the moment.

    I am determined to make a change to this attitude,

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  • Anonymous | Tue, 10 Feb 2009 3:08 pm

    As both an over 50 and a recruiter with 20+ years experience i think i am qualified to comment on the above. Ageism definitely exists inrecruitment but my experience is that it is generated by the client's requirements. I have had many clients who give a specification and then go on to say "I know i shouldn't say this but i would like somone young" or words to that effect. it is this "institutionalised" ageism that needs addressing not another attack on the recruitment industry who seem to be fair game for the press. Letes see some unbiased reporting for a change!!

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