Government backs down in Ann Summers jobs battle
Retailer will be allowed to advertise in Job Centres
July 18 2003
Lingerie and sex toy retailer Ann Summers will be allowed to advertise in Job Centres after the UK government decided not to appeal against a High Court ruling.
The retailer has been prevented from advertising store and head office vacancies in Job Centres, a free service for employers, because the government classified its employees as sex trade workers.
There were fears that some jobseekers would object to working for Ann Summers, but under the rules could lose benefits if they refused to take jobs offered.
Ann Summer chief executive Jaqueline Gold challenged the classification, claiming it put the retailer at an unfair advantage to rivals who could advertise free. In evidence, Gold argued that retailers such as Selfridges now routinely sell vibrators and similar products.
Last month, the High Court ruled the policy was “irrational and unlawful”. The Department for Work & Pensions had 28 days in which to appeal against the court’s decision. However, it has now advised Ann Summers that Job Centres will accept its adverts from July 21.
