One of Britain’s most exclusive hotels has been accused of sexism after they advertised for a porter – but said the post was “not a role for ladies”.
Swanky Whatley Manor, a five-star retreat in the Cotswolds, stuck the controversial ad in the window of a local Post Office.
It said: “We are seeking people with driving licenses to join the team of Front of House Porters.
“The work involves moving luggage, moving cars, tending fires, generally taking deliveries, keeping the reception area tidy.”
In brackets, it then adds: “Sorry, it’s just not a role for ladies.”
Bosses at award-winning Whatley Manor, where rooms cost up to £1,500 a night, said the advert was not supposed to offend.
But the advert has ruffled feathers in the local area of Malmesbury, Wilts.
Charlene Harvey, 36, a world champion bodybuilder who lives in the town, slammed the hotel for assuming every woman is weak.
She said: “There are physiological differences between a man and a woman, but a woman can train and be just as strong as a man.
“You can’t assume every woman is going to be weak.”
“I didn’t think they were allowed to do things like this anymore. In today’s industry it’s a bit out of place,” she added.
And Twitter user Sarah Hirons described the author of the ad, which was posted in May and has recently been posted online, as “medieval”.
Gill Salter, of Whatley Manor, said it was not supposed to be placed in the Post Office but in a local school.
The HR boss said: “We didn’t intend to discriminate or upset anybody and it is certainly not the normal advert we use.
“We were trying to make them understand that the role includes heavy lifting.”
She added: “We just had someone struggling in with big boxes so strength was one of the issues.
“Water delivery is really heavy so this was a practicality issue.”
An official statement released by Whatley Manor added: “We are very sorry for any offence caused by this particular advert.”
Discriminating against job candidates because of their gender is illegal in the UK under the 2010 Equality Act.
