Warning comes after latest guidelines were issued on the Equality Act

Advertising for a Polish builder or a barmaid could land businesses in hot water after new guidance was published barring employers from trying to hire someone based on their sex, age of nationality.

The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has warned businesses that they could be breaking the law should they ask for any particular characteristics in a job advert that would stop certain groups from applying.

An example of a breach, according to the public body, would be for bank advertisement specifying that a permanent address is required, as it might discriminate against Syrian asylum seekers who cannot open a bank account.

Advertising for a 'barmaid' could land businesses in hot water after new guidance was published barring employers from trying to hire someone based on their sex, age of nationality (stock image)

The commission specified that there were 'very limited circumstances' in which certain groups may be excluded, the Sunday Times reported, such as a leisure centre advertising women-only swimming as Muslim woman may not wish to swim with men.

The latest guidance surrounding the Equality Act comes after the EHRC received more than 100 complaints about adverts which potential applicants found to be discriminatory.

The commission's chief executive Rebecca Hilsenrath said the new guidelines would would 'help ensure no one is unfairly barred from job opportunities or from accessing services because of who they are'.

To avoid breaking the law, the EHRC has called on employers to avoid sex-specific terms such as a 'barmaid' or 'paperboy', and to use gender-neutral terms such as 'bartender' in their place.

It further warns that adverts that imply a particular age group, such as those that might call for someone who is 'mature' or a 'recent graduate', would breach the regulations.

Other examples of adverts that may break the law would be those who call for particular strengths, such as being tall, as this could be discriminatory against women.

The EHRC is a public body was set up following the establishment of the Equality Act in 2006, and is responsible for the promotion and enforcement of non-discrimination in England, Scotland and Wales.