To complain about being asked age in an interview?

[Whitlandcarm]

Recently had a job interview with a large supermarket chain. I was asked my age which I answered. I didn't get the job, but I could tell they'd already found who they were looking for as they were completely disinterested and sat on desks instead of chairs. Glad that I got a better paid job which will be more enjoyable.

Shall I complain about being asked my age? AIBU?

[pasturesgreen]

I don't understand. Surely your CV includes your DOB anyway?

[hula008]

Of course your CV doesn't need to have your Dob on! Unless it pertains to the Europe (i.e. Being over 16 in a supermarket etc) they don't need to ask you your age.

[peachgreen]

I don't get why them sitting on desks instead of chairs means they weren't interested?

[Jupitar]

I was told by an employment agency to take my DOB off my CV, they said I shouldn't have put it on there. I don't see the difference it makes as they could roughly work out my age from my job history.

No idea what the rules are during an interview though.

[OdinsLoveChild]

pasturesgreen no CVs no longer have your dob on them.

OP I wouldn't complain personally but they shouldn't have asked your age. If you feel they deliberately discriminated against you based on your answer then you could complain but as you said you felt they had already employed someone then I dont see what it would achieve.

[BabytoBoris]

Do you feel that you were discriminated against or disadvantaged due to your age? If yes then compain.

[ilovesooty]

Of course CV s don't have DOB on.
And you shouldn't have been asked that question unless all the candidates were asked.

[MrsHathaway]

Only relevant once you've been offered the job (to make sure they're paying you at least NMW).

Exam passes should be dated because eg an A was more impressive before A* came in.

However, if they think it's appropriate to ask then it's not an environment you want to work in so you've dodged a bullet. Do consider feeding back, though. HR/management may have no idea that the interviewers are doing this.

[MrsMarmite1234]

Isn't it illegal to ask?!

[TyneTeas]

There was an interesting article about this on the BBC recently

www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-39818120

[FakePlasticTeaLeaves]

I would complain, or they won't have any repercussions.

[MikeUniformMike]

Definitely complain. In a letter. It's ageism.
You could also tweet.

[MumIsRunningAMarathon]

Surely workplace needs to know if a candidate is under 18 though?

[MrsHathaway]

Then the question is "are you over 18?" not "how old are you?"

[flossyfloss]

Then they can ask are you over 18? It is illegal to ask how old you are - definitely complain

[Haffdonga]

You wouldn't use a CV to apply to a large chain supermarket these days anyway. All their applications are done on their online forms which do ask for a DoB.

Having said that DS2 was offered a job at a supermarket interview (after having to build a tower out of spaghetti )which was promptly withdrawn when they asked his age as he was under 18 and it involved working on the alcohol section. So they clearly don't read their own forms.

[PhyllisNights]

Firstly, no one should state their age/DOB on their CV, but most recruiters can tell through education dates.

Secondly, some jobs have age requirements, like 18+ if they're selling alcohol and don't have enough staff in place to authorise.