Summarised by Centrist
Trade Depot has apologised after a job advertisement for a warehouse and dispatch role in Hamilton listed proficiency in Hindi or Punjabi as an essential requirement.
The SEEK advertisement was widely shared online before being removed.
Managing director John Christie said the wording was wrong and accepted responsibility for the mistake.
“Those languages should have been described as an advantage for this role, not a requirement,” Christie said.
The ad attracted criticism from people questioning why a New Zealand warehouse job would require applicants to speak Hindi or Punjabi.
“Trade Depot is against discrimination in any form. We hire on people’s skills and attitude. This listing didn’t reflect that,” Christie said.
“We apologise for it, and to anyone it discouraged from applying.”
Christie said the intention was to recognise the value of additional language skills in a workplace dealing with customers, transport operators and driver clients from varied backgrounds.
“Additional language skills can be a real asset at a branch, and that is what this role was meant to address,” he said.
Trade Depot said it removed the ad once it became aware of the issue and is reviewing how job advertisements are written and approved.
The company is expanding across New Zealand, including a major Christchurch development expected to become the country’s largest retail depot and warehouse.
