色盒直播

Glasgow apologises for wording of maternity cover job advert

Lecturer in modern gender history only required ‘until the substantive postholder returns from maternity leave, or in the event of her resignation’

September 24, 2021
Magnifying glass searching job adverts illustrating graduate outcomes survey results
Source: zimmytws/iStock

A university has apologised after it posted a job advert for a maternity cover role in modern gender history that mentioned the possibility of the original post holder resigning.?

According to a screenshot of the original advert,?, the University of Glasgow was seeking someone “to cover maternity on a month-to-month basis up to nine months or until the substantive post holder returns from maternity leave, or in the event of her resignation, whichever date is earlier”.

After Glasgow apologised and said the advert had been amended, Rachel Moss, a senior lecturer in history at the University of Northampton who posted the screenshot, tweeted: “Hopefully you will clarify with applicants if this post is indeed likely to be terminated at short notice, and also spoken with the current post holder to apologise for the implicit threat to their position!”

In a statement, Glasgow said: “We apologise unreservedly for the incorrect wording and?for the understandable offence it has caused. The phrasing is not normal practice and in no way represents our values. It has been amended.”

The??now only makes reference to the role being for “maternity cover”.

simon.baker@timeshighereducation.com

Register to continue

Why register?

  • Registration is free and only takes a moment
  • Once registered, you can read 3 articles a month
  • Sign up for our newsletter
Register
Please Login or Register to read this article.

Related articles

Reader's comments (1)

Unfortunately a simple google search reveals this phrasing has been normal practice though - it’s standard wording for the university’s previously advertised mat cover job ads. Surely a number of staff will have queried this wording internally over the years? Thank goodness that particular template has now been updated

Sponsored

ADVERTISEMENT