Note: This advice is given by the CAP Executive about non-broadcast advertising. It does not constitute legal advice. It does not bind CAP, CAP advisory panels or the Advertising Standards Authority.
Rule 20.6 states the information that marketing communications for homework schemes should contain, including a clear description of the work, likely earnings, a statement about fees and charges and any other conditions that might influence a consumer’s decision to apply. Although it need not be in the initial ad, all that information must be available, without charge, before participants commit to the scheme.
The biggest cause for complaint about ads for homework schemes seems to be that many marketers do not make clear the nature of the work on offer, either by being silent on the type of work that is involved or by being liberal with the truth. The ASA upheld complaints against one marketer who claimed “Data compilers & envelope fillers wanted” but did not make clear in either the initial ad or the follow-up material that homeworkers were expected to place advertisements in newspapers (Arrow Data Services, 22 October 2003). Another marketer claimed “Homeworkers wanted for assembling, craftwork, packaging … proofreading … typing … Part-time or full-time job offers guaranteed” but offered only a directory and information on potential homeworking opportunities (A Walton & Associates, 19 November 2003). Although it is acceptable to sell such directories, marketers must state plainly the nature of what is being offered (Rule 20.10).
See also entries on ‘Earnings’ and ‘Fees and Charges’ covered separately in this section.
Last modified : 03 August 2010