Dynamic, ambitious and hungry are among the many words that have been banned from use by a UK recruitment agency, which fears they may stray across the line under the age discrimination laws that came into effect on 1 October.
Robert Walters has warned staff that words such as young, vibrant, mature and gravitas must under no circumstances appear in any Robert Walters advertising.
The company, which employs 1,300 staff in 14 countries, has also vetoed references to “modern qualifications” such as GCSEs and modern degrees, including media studies and information technology.
Other educational references, including recent graduate and newly qualified, are also banned.
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Steve Edwards, marketing director at Robert Walters, said: “We are just being cautious and have defined guidelines on what you can and cannot say.”
Energetic, youthful, quick-learner, self-starter, high-flyer and experienced are also among the words to be banned.
