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, posted on Twitter, 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 amended job advert now only makes reference to the role being for “maternity cover”.
