Specified gender, age, or orientation in a job vacancy: what fine threatens the employer
Ukrainian legislation prohibits employers from posting job vacancies with discriminatory requirements or giving preference to certain categories of candidates based on characteristics that are not directly related to professional duties or working conditions.
In particular, job advertisements must not set restrictions or preferences based on gender, age, race, skin color, health status, disability, sexual orientation, HIV status, political or religious beliefs, ethnic or social origin, place of residence, property status, and other characteristics unrelated to job performance.
Exceptions are allowed only when the nature of the work objectively requires certain physical characteristics.
These requirements apply to all methods of posting vacancies, including specialized job search websites, social networks, printed publications, and other advertising platforms.
According to Article 24-1 of the Law of Ukraine "On Advertising," a fine of ten minimum wages is provided for posting a discriminatory vacancy. As of 2026, this amounts to UAH 86,470 for each violation.
Previously, the State Labor Service of Ukraine controlled compliance with the requirements for non-discriminatory job advertising. However, after legislative changes came into force in May 2025, the relevant powers were transferred to the State Service of Ukraine on Food Safety and Consumer Protection.
Currently, the State Service of Ukraine on Food Safety and Consumer Protection is authorized to consider cases of violations of job advertising legislation, identify discriminatory wording, and apply the sanctions provided by law to offenders.
How control is exercised and fines are imposed
The procedure for monitoring compliance with advertising legislation requirements, as well as the procedure for bringing to responsibility, is defined by a number of regulatory legal acts. In particular, these include:
- Article 26 of the Law of Ukraine "On Advertising";
- The Procedure for Imposing Fines for Violations of Advertising Legislation, approved by the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine Resolution No. 693 dated May 26, 2004;
- The Procedure for Advertisers to Pay Fines to the State Budget for Violations of the Law of Ukraine "On Advertising" regarding employment service advertisements, approved by the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine Resolution No. 863 dated August 5, 2022.
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