Accor pledges not to hire reception staff for their looks

French hotel giant Accor says it will stop hiring its reception staff based on their looks by using an anonymous job application process.

The group, which operates the brands Sofitel, Novotel and Formule 1, has decided to anonymise CVs submitted to its French careers website, removing applicants' first and last names, nationality, sex, age and e-mail address, according to the Guardian.

The company said the decision was made to "ensure that the initial selection of candidates is uniquely based on the applicant's training, experience and skills" and "provides testimony to Accor's engagement on the subject of diversity".

"The objective of the anonymous CV is to avoid any discrimination, conscious or subconscious, linked to the age, sex or origins of the candidate."

Accor also said it plans to run a training and communication campaign for managers over the coming year.

The company has just reported a sharp drop in sales for the first half of the year, and plans to continue cost cutting.

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By Gemma Sharkey

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