A JOB-SEEKER got a shock when she stumbled across an advert for a sex line operator - on a Government website.
Rachel Thompson, 22, could not believe her eyes after a random search for call centre staff on the Jobcentre Plus website turned up the vacancy.
Advertised as a chat-line telephone operator unsuitable for under-18s, it said the job involved "explicit sexual dialogue, which may cause embarrassment to some".
Jobcentre Plus staff said such advertisements were not uncommon after lingerie chain Ann Summers won a High Court battle in 2003 for the right to advertise for staff.
Miss Thompson, from South Shields, South Tyneside, said: "I thought it was a bit bizarre because it was on the Jobcentre Plus website.
"I must admit I did have a laugh and the money is probably pretty good, but it is not for me, not that there is anything wrong with it if that's what people want to do for a job."
The vacancy has been withdrawn after Jobcentre Plus received enough applications. A spokeswoman said: "Following the Ann Summers court case, Jobcentre Plus had to review its policy on jobs in the sex industry. We provide detailed information on these vacancies to make sure jobseekers know what they are applying for."
Also being advertised on the site is a post for a full-time tarot card reader.
An ideal candidate "must have knowledge and experience of tarot reading and a landline telephone".
The site is at www.job centreplus.gov.uk
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article