Italian company posts 'scandalous' job ad asking female applicants to pose in a bikini

An Italian security company is being investigated over a sexist job advertisement that asked female applicants to include a photo of themselves in a bikini.

The Naples-based company had several requirements for jobseekers applying for a low-paid receptionist role, stating applicants must be female, aged under 30 and should have a "sunny character with an attractive appearance".

It also asked applicants to pose in a bathing suit and send a photo along with the relevant documents for the role.

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The job ad caused outrage online after a screenshot was posted onto social media, triggering the Italian labour ministry to launch an investigation.

"They want a photo in a bathing suit? What an absurd advert," said Chiara Marciani, the labour councillor for Naples, told The Guardian.

"It is scandalous, and for several reasons — beginning with the search for a woman under the age of 30 and a salary that is absurdly inadequate for the commitment and tasks the job requires."

Social media users were also aghast at the low pay, which was advertised at A$951 (£500) per month.

"In addition to the starvation pay, less than 5 euros per hour, they ask for a photo in a bathing suit to be the receptionist," one horrified person wrote on Twitter. "What sh—people."

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After the advertisement surfaced online, the company told Italian media the request for a bikini photo was "inappropriate" and blamed an "inexperienced worker" for crafting it.

The job ad was later deleted and reposted without the strange request.

Marciani said the advert is symptomatic of a bigger sexism issue in Italy, particularly surrounding the growing post-pandemic unemployment of women.

"The problem of sexism persists … there needs to be much more work done on gender equality," Marciani added.

"There are so many issues that need to be addressed, especially in a city like Naples, which has a very low rate of women in employment."