Taking a jobseeker's age or relationship status into consideration when interviewing them is not good practice for employers, according to one organisation.
The Institute of Employment Rights (IER) believes it is unsurprising that some firms are beginning to take factors such as these into account when employing women.
However, the body says this is a "quick cure" which means that the weakest are being undermined.
Likewise, it has been suggested that it is easier to fire those who are in precarious or part-time employment due to a lack of legislation.
Carolyn Jones, director of the IER, said: "It's not women or young people who are causing the problem to our businesses and if a business can only survive by removing staff that may cost them something, then they shouldn't be in business."
Research from HighScores.com has revealed that 89 per cent of managers admit they would not take a man's home commitments into consideration when deciding whether to hire them.
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