Are you getting lots of interest in your horticulture role from non-EU applicants who would need visa sponsorship to take up the position? Joseph Blair of Horticulture.Jobs outlines the reasons and potential solutions below.
1. Global Accessibility of Online Job Boards
Most job websites, including Horticulture.Jobs, are accessible worldwide. Even if a job posting specifies “EU applicants only,” non-EU candidates can still submit applications unless strict technical restrictions exist.
2. Anti-Discrimination & Employment Laws
Under EU and Irish employment laws, job advertisements that explicitly exclude non-EU applicants could be considered discriminatory unless there is a legal basis, such as visa restrictions or work permit requirements.
3. Automated Application Systems
Many job seekers use automated systems and job board aggregators that mass-apply for positions. These systems often ignore geographic restrictions stated in job descriptions.
4. EU-Based Non-EU Workers
Some non-EU nationals legally reside and work in the EU under various permits or as family members of EU citizens. Blanket restrictions could unintentionally exclude qualified candidates who are legally eligible to work.
5. Technical Limitations
Job boards would need to implement geolocation-based access or restrict applications based on IP addresses, but this can be bypassed using VPNs.
Filtering applications based on nationality would require additional verification processes, which may not be feasible or legal.
6. Shortage of Skilled Labour
In many horticultural roles, employers struggle to find suitable candidates. Some may widen the applicant pool to include non-EU workers who are willing to go through the visa sponsorship process.
Potential Solutions
- Clearer Job Descriptions: Employers should explicitly state “EU applicants only” or “Visa sponsorship not available” to deter unwanted applications.
- Application Filters: Some job boards allow pre-screening questions like “Do you have the right to work in the EU?”
- Manual Screening: Employers may need to manually filter applications to shortlist eligible candidates.
Finally, there are always some excellent candidates who may be well worth sponsoring due to the experience and expertise that they will bring to your business.
If you need assistance or advice please contact Horticulture.Jobs on 087 9212044.
Joseph Blair has over 30 years of experience working across the various sectors of Horticulture, Landscape & Garden Retail. He offers consultancy in the areas of Business Support & Development, Sustainability & HR. Through his involvement in Horticulture.Jobs and HortiRecruit bring a unique insight into recruitment and employee retention.
