Sainsbury’s has launched an extensive recruitment drive that will see it create 10,000 full-time jobs by the end of the year – exclusively for the over-50s.
The supermarket chain, which reported its first-ever annual loss today, said school leavers “need not apply” for its new vacancies, which span HR and customer service and jobs on the bakery, delicatessen and butcher’s counters.
The move was applauded by Help The Aged and Age Concern, but lawyers pointed out that such an initiative will be illegal next year, when new age discrimination legislation is introduced, covering young and old workers.
Sainsbury’s said the initiative “in no way replaces” its recruitment of staff across all ages. “This is a one-off campaign we have launched in response to customer feedback,” a spokeswoman told Personnel Today.
Under the plan, the ‘mature’ candidates will be able to work part-time or even just during school terms so they can be free to spend school holidays with their children or grandchildren.
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