Women-only sales positions advertised at Gold Coast dealership

The Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal has allowed one of the Gold Coast’s biggest car dealers to advertise some sales jobs exclusively to women.

James Frizelle’s Automotive Group applied for an exemption under the Anti-Discrimination Act, but the tribunal found that the retailer did not need an exemption since the company was attempting to promote equal opportunity in a male-dominated industry. 

Frizelle’s joint Dealer Principal, Brett Frizelle, said the tribunal ruling made good business sense.

“Women make a significant number of the purchasing decisions in households,” Mr Frizelle said, “so by employing more female sales people, we are meeting our customers’ demands.”

Rebecca Frizelle, the company’s Group Operations Manager, admits that less than 5 per cent of the company’s current sales staff are women.

“We have tried to get more women, but it is difficult because they see the industry as male-dominated, so they don’t apply,” Mrs Frizelle said.

“Advertising for women specifically lets them know that we are interested in them. We are not trailblazers in this area,” she said.

“There are plenty of high-ranking women in the automotive industry,”

Tribunal member Susan Gardiner pointed out that it was appropriate for female staff to be available for customers.

“[The company] says that its women customers want to be served by other women whom they trust and who speak the same language,” she said.