How to report 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.

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.