If we have advertised a role as a full time role.
Somebody has contacted us and said that they would like to apply but can only work on a part time basis because they are studying.
They have very good skills/experience which match the essential criteria and the recruiting manager is interested.
Are we okay to say they can apply, and if they demonstrate at interview they can do the job on part time hours and are the best candidate, employ them?
Or is this discrimination because we didn't advertise it as a part-time position?
Many thanks
Sarah
Replies
Hi Sarah
Great post thank you and I can see you are applying your learning from MER ;-)
No this is fine and I think you are acting appropriately as you are considering the application from the PT employee most employers would simply dismiss this out of hand.
As it stands the business has a need for a full time resource so it is OK to say this in the advert, you are legally under no obligation to consider a part time application, albeit as best practice why wouldn't you especially if you can work the full time role into a job share, it could be a win win.
In the past we have interviewed applicants who apply for part time hours, but made it clear in the interview if they are successful this will rely on us securing resource to match their hours, generally though this has been for internal vacancies.
Of course you can always decide that even though it was advertised as a full time role you could resorganise some of the duties and simply take on the one part timer, that is entirely within your control.
I hope this helps! See you next week
Sarah
Hi Sarah
That is really helpful. I have chatted it through with the recruiting manager.
Best wishes
Sarah