Legal hiccup in naked handyman search

A job ad for a "male nude handyman" is breaking employment law - but not because of the nudity, an employment lawyer says.

The role, advertised on Student Job Search's website, asks for one male student to do odd jobs around the home of a naturist employer in Auckland city.

"You will be required to do general cleaning duties, some sanding and putting cabinets together. You must be hard working, self motivated and most importantly the confidence to work naked," the ad reads.

Bridget Smith, senior associate of Minter Ellison Rudd Watts Lawyers, said the job would be in breach of Human Rights Act.

Under Section 22 of the Act it is illegal to discriminate against a job applicant because of their sex - unless you have to be a particular sex to perform the role.

"The question would be do you have to be a man to be a handyman?" Ms Smith said.

And what if there was a woman who did want to apply for the role?

"If you are otherwise qualified to do the work, she could challenge it and the employer would need to justify why they're not the most suitable."

It is also a breach of the Human Rights Act to advertise positions that discriminate against an applicant, under Section 23.

"Arguably, if you are asking for a male and being male is not a requirement for the role, technically it would breaking Section 23."

Jobseekers can only contact advertisers through Student Job Search, from whom nzherald.co.nz is awaiting comment.

As for working in the nude, there is nothing in the Act that prohibits working naked.

"There's nothing inherently wrong with employing someone to do a job that requires you to work with no clothes on.

"It's up to the individual if you want to perform the role in the nude," Ms Smith said.

"The other thing is the health and safety risk of being a handyman in the nude. You might want protective clothing."