Minimum years exp in HR job adverts - HR Qualifications and studying - Careers Clinic

6 Minimum years exp in HR job adverts

Luis | 0 Posts

24 Mar, 2017 14:46

Hi all

Ive always avoided including min years of experience when writing job adverts for most roles my company, instead i focused breadth/level of experience. Now that im looking for a HR job I often see minimum years of experience required. For example the requirements below for a HR Manager. Isnt this age discrimination if I had for example all of the other requirements but just 7 years experience? Am i missing something?

"Basic Qualifications

-10+ years of experience in an HR leadership role with broad knowledge and experience in a human resource management position

-University degree required

-Demonstrated experience supporting employee populations in large organizations"

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Steven | 0 Posts

25 Mar, 2017 15:29

Was this the Amazon job? If so, it is common to see such things from an American company but it would have been nice for them to modify their language for the British market.

As an aside, there is also a flaw in linking experience with effectiveness. I have been trying to understand my wife for over 20 years and she still baffles me
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Keith | 0 Posts

25 Mar, 2017 18:03

In reply to Steven :
It is relatively common still in UK jobs not just american. Whilst it probably is challengeable under the Age Discrimination legislation (unless its a proportionate means to a legitimate end or some such wording) very few people will challenge it.
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Luis | 0 Posts

26 Mar, 2017 22:21

In reply to Keith:

I see this in alot of other HR jobs from UK organisations. Has this ever been challenged? Any case law?
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Clare | 0 Posts

28 Mar, 2017 17:36

Number of years experience was removed within the Local Government Councils I have worked in around 9 years ago. It was replaced by words such as 'extensive', 'considerable' experience etc. Not sure whether this is also the case across the majority of Local Government.
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David | 0 Posts

28 Mar, 2017 19:22

In reply to Clare:
Solicitors usually ask for x years PQE - postqualification experience - seem to recall this was once (as they do) challenged in court but (as they do) 'objectively-justified' - whether or not they'd be as understanding to non-lawyers though is perhaps debatable
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Keith | 0 Posts

29 Mar, 2017 09:18

In reply to Luis:
Luis - I am not aware of any case law specifically on this point - it is sailing close to the wind, but probably just within it!
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