How to report a discriminatory advert

Advice and Guidance

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What is a discriminatory advert?

An advert is a notice or announcement, written or oral, promoting a job opportunity, a product, service or event.

Adverts can appear in newspapers, magazines, on the television, radio, online, in shop windows and in emails.

Adverts that restrict jobs or goods, facilities and services to people with particular protected characteristics, such as to men or to people of a particular age group, are unlawful except in very limited circumstances. Please contact the Equality Advisory and Support Service (EASS) for more information on whether or not an advert may be discriminatory.

An advertisement must be viewed as a whole. Descriptions, job titles, illustrations and pictures that relate to particular protected characteristics may be discriminatory, as they may imply that only people with those characteristics are eligible for the job or service being advertised.

How do I report it?

Please complete the form through the link below if you are reporting a discriminatory advert. This will help inform our wider work and research.

To complain to the advertiser or publisher about a discriminatory advert, please see our guidance on making an enquiry about a discriminatory advert.

We will not contact you about whether you may have a claim as a result of any loss or disadvantage you may have suffered because of the advert. You should contact the Equality Advisory Support Service (EASS) directly if you need further advice or support.

If you have a copy of the advert, as a document or image, you can upload it to the form.

The form can be used to report adverts in England, Scotland or Wales.

Complete the reporting form

Last updated: 30 Mar 2020

Further information

If you think you might have been treated unfairly and want further advice, you can contact the Equality Advisory and Support Service.

Phone: 0808 800 0082

You can email using the contact form on the EASS website.

Also available through the website are BSL interpretation, web chat services and a contact us form.

Post:
FREEPOST
EASS HELPLINE
FPN6521

Opening hours:

9am to 7pm Monday to Friday
10am to 2pm Saturday
closed on Sundays and Bank Holidays

Alternatively, you can visit our advice and guidance page.