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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To think this is discrimination and want to do something?

110 replies

Cowardlycustard2 · 16/02/2018 10:06

So angry about this. I recently spent a long time on a job application, to be informed that I hadn’t been selected for interview. Can’t give too much detail as will out myself, but work in a very specialist professional area and locally there are very few of us so tend to know on grapevine what’s happening etc. I am very experienced and highly qualified in my role and matched all job spec criteria well. Have found out that a couple of people being interviewed are new graduates so don’t have experience etc. It is not a role where it would cost them any more to hire an older or experienced person it’s a fixed starting salary by the way. The application process states that age and ethnic background need to be given but “will not be used as part of selection process”. However I think my age has been used to rule me out of an interview particularly as the hiring manager knows me due to being part of a local small professional community. I am so angry but also feel that I must challenge this somehow but haven’t got a clue how to do this. I know anti age discrimination legislation exists but have never heard of anyone successfully challenging an employer on this basis in a situation like this. Grateful for any advice. Thanks.

OP posts:
Ifailed · 16/02/2018 10:10

unless you have any proof you have been discriminated against, I doubt if there is much you can do.
Might sound harsh, but as you are known to the company they may have already decided they don't want you working for them, for any number of reasons, none of which are related to your age?

araiwa · 16/02/2018 10:12

Youre making a massive leap there based on zero evidence

WorraLiberty · 16/02/2018 10:13

Why shouldn't they interview a couple of new graduates?

What makes you think it's specifically your age that's going against you here?

Cowardlycustard2 · 16/02/2018 10:13

I have always had really good feedback professionally and even won an award for some of my work last year. I really think it’s age related.

OP posts:
BeingATwatItsABingThing · 16/02/2018 10:16

Maybe they liked what the other two had to offer. Or thought that you were over qualified for the job. Any number of reasons could be why you didn’t get an interview. No evidence that it’s age.

WorraLiberty · 16/02/2018 10:16

Have you asked them for feedback WRT not being selected?

Cowardlycustard2 · 16/02/2018 10:16

Aren’t they supposed to offer an interview to applicants that meet all the spec? I am not saying I should have been offered the job just the opportunity to have attended an interview. They are a public sector institution by the way.

OP posts:
BeingATwatItsABingThing · 16/02/2018 10:17

They can’t interview everyone. Did you have to write a statement or anything?

araiwa · 16/02/2018 10:18

What if 300 people met the job spec? They have to interview them all?

Ifailed · 16/02/2018 10:19

Aren’t they supposed to offer an interview to applicants that meet all the spec?

No. Some employers have this policy for internal candidates, but it's entirely up to them who they invite for an interview, you have to right to one.

Cowardlycustard2 · 16/02/2018 10:20

I asked for feedback and was given some vague waffle about them having to prioritise “stronger candidates” basically meaningless

OP posts:
SilverHairedCat · 16/02/2018 10:20

Perhaps your application wasn't as good as you thought.

In terms of interviewing, no there is no obligation for them to interview all qualified candidates. They will shortlist.

WTFIsThisVirus · 16/02/2018 10:20

Maybe they don't want people with experience. They haven't got any bad habits yet. Maybe they had really good cover letters. Maybe they have experience or qualifications you don't know about.

You can't assume it's about your age. You could always ask for feedback instead of making assumptions

daisym00n · 16/02/2018 10:21

What does their recruitment policy say about shortlisting? What if they had 10 candidates who met the specification but they could only interview 6? Was the criteria split into essential and desirable?

ThroughThickAndThin01 · 16/02/2018 10:21

They don’t need to interview everyone who applies surely. If they have a good response they’ll have to narrow it down.

WorraLiberty · 16/02/2018 10:23

You're making quite a leap to age discrimination here, without any evidence.

PurpleDaisies · 16/02/2018 10:23

Aren’t they supposed to offer an interview to applicants that meet all the spec?

That’s an absolutely ridiculous statement. How many candidates do you think apply for some jobs, all with the necessary qualifications and experience? Confused

Cowardlycustard2 · 16/02/2018 10:24

So basically there isn’t any way that they could be challenged on age discrimination? What’s the point of having the legislation then? I had to complete 12 supporting statements as part of the process Confused

OP posts:
Lovesagin · 16/02/2018 10:24

There's every chance it is discrimination but it's very hard to prove. Was the form asking for age etc separate from the application form and anonymised?

araiwa · 16/02/2018 10:25

They told you they had better candidates.

Do you know all the shortlist?

ChelleDawg2020 · 16/02/2018 10:25

You are leaping to conclusions. When I was hiring people, I often rejected people who on paper were perfectly good - there simply isn't time to interview everyone.

You can't assume your application was perfect or that you were the best candidate because you don't know exactly what the hirer was looking for.

Making the leap that they are discriminating against you based on your age is foolish unless you have actual evidence. If your profession is very specialised, do you really need word getting out that you are a trouble-maker?

Let it go. Look inwardly for a reason for your rejection, not outwardly.

Plexie · 16/02/2018 10:26

Public sector often use a shortlisting matrix - basically a tick-box list of the requirements and whether each candidate meets them (yes/no/partially). Then the results are tallied up and the highest scorers are invited for interview. You could ask HR if that was used and where you came in the overall order. Won't make you popular though.

Cowardlycustard2 · 16/02/2018 10:26

It’s a very specialist area and requires a specific professional qualification which is rare so they def would not get 300 applications!

OP posts:
WillowWept · 16/02/2018 10:27

But you have no evidence or even the merest hint of evidence that this was anything to do with your age Confused

Eltonjohnssyrup · 16/02/2018 10:27

They may not feel you'd fit into the team. For example being supervised by someone less experienced.

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