Espresso café Freepour criticized for women-only vacancy in Marrickville
A trendy cafe has sparked outrage after it posted a vacancy for women only and asked them to submit a photo of themselves.
Freepour Espresso in Marrickville, in Sydney’s west, posted the advert for a ‘female full-time barista/all-rounder’ on a job board on Facebook.
The advertisement contained four main criteria that only female applicants must meet, leaving no room for male applicants.
The applicant had to submit a photo, resume, availability, and “recent photo of your latte art.”
The successful woman would be hired to make “coffee and cold drinks,” keep the coffee station “clean and tidy,” and take orders “when necessary.”
A trendy Sydney cafe has sparked outrage online over job postings asking for female baristas to provide shots to make coffee. Pictured: stock photo of a woman making coffee
The other requirements for the ‘barista/all-rounder’ role were more reasonable: your CV, when you are available and a ‘recent photo of your latte art’
In return, they would be given “great opportunities,” “competitive rates and long-term stable services,” and the ability to work with “cutting-edge equipment.”
The job posting was reposted on Reddit, where it sparked a heated debate.
Several commenters felt that asking women to provide photos for a barista role bordered on creepy.
Others questioned whether a café could only advertise a role for women.
“They’ll have to hire a lawyer now too,” someone joked.
Others pointed out that such requirements are common when working abroad, especially in Asia.
The Workplace Gender Equality Agency warns that it is ‘unlawful’ to advertise vacancies specifically to men or women.
“Gender-coded language in job postings can not only discourage individual women from applying for certain jobs, it can also reinforce broader social beliefs about who ‘belongs’ in those jobs and who doesn’t,” the agency’s website says.
In return, they would receive ‘great opportunities’, ‘competitive rates and long stable services’ and be able to work with ‘advanced equipment’
‘Yes, very common in my home country. In fact, it’s common for a job posting to specify the maximum age of the applicant (25-30 for example) and say ‘must be good looking’ lol, especially in customer facing roles,” someone replied.
“I’m glad I’m gone.”
A third added: ‘The best way to solve this is to buy your coffee from a place that makes good coffee. Whatever they look like.’
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Freepour Espresso for comment.