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Original poster

Unsuccessful job application - discrimination

18 replies

ApocalypseNowt · 17/03/2018 21:52

I applied for a job last year - I was very well experienced/qualified for it and the interview went very well. I was meant to find out if i'd got it within a couple of days but there were a lot of delays and after a few weeks I got an impersonal automated-looking email saying I had been unsuccessful.
I was very disappointed and wondered at the time if it was because I had enquired about flexible working. In the interview I gave some scenarios (compressed hours, working from home, etc) but said very clearly that if this was a deal breaker and the job needed to be full time to come back to me. The people interviewing me didn't seem phased by my questions and sounded quite positive.

Here's where it gets a bit odd. I had a phonecall this week from someone in the company's head office saying they'd like to have a chat about the recruitment process I went through. We met for coffee and this person said they couldn't say too much about it but there was an investigation about irregularities. Seemed to be very focuses on they delays in me getting a response and my flexible working request.

They also said someone would want to interview me 'more formally' within the next month. And said several times, with emphasis, that I had been a VERY GOOD candidate.

I'm not sure what i'm asking other than what's going on?! and what, if anything, I should do!

For info the job was for a large public sector organisation.

OP posts:

kittymamma · 18/03/2018 01:28

Probably right that there has been some suggestion at head office of discrimination. Possibly someone has made an accusation and now they are evidence gathering.

As for what this means for you, probably not a lot. The job has gone to someone else and unless they have another similar opening, then dismissing that person to put you in, is probably not going to happen. There is also the fact that having been treated that way, if it came out that you were actually discriminated against because you suggested flexible working, do you actually want to work there?

Original poster

ApocalypseNowt · 18/03/2018 08:49

The job hasn't gone to someone else. It still hasn't been filled.

And while it's not great I've been discriminated against what is good is that it's been picked up m(without me raising it) and there is an official investigation about it.

OP posts:

AnoiaUnstickMyDrawers · 18/03/2018 08:53

How odd that the job hasn't been filled! It does sound like someone somewhere is suspicious that there was something irregular going on, but what was the advantage to potentially discriminating against you if it didn't lead to someone else getting the job?! How strange.

Original poster

ApocalypseNowt · 18/03/2018 08:58

I know. It's all very confusing!

Maybe something to do with who the job is for I.e. would be bad PR if this came out?

I guess I'll find out more when I'm interviewed 'officially'

OP posts:

ListeningtoBowie · 18/03/2018 09:01

Yes very odd

OhMyGodTheyKilledKenny · 18/03/2018 09:11

How odd

To me it sounds like someone involved in the recruitment process is being investigated - I presume you were interviewed by someone in HR and others (someone from the department/manager of the post you applied for maybe?).

It could be that they haven't followed the organisations protocol, they could have offered it to someone internally and then just "gone through the motions" of interviewing external applicants?

FWIW I'd be intrigued too in your shoes!

Original poster

ApocalypseNowt · 18/03/2018 11:44

As far I could glean they haven't offered it to anyone. They certainly haven't appointed anyone!

No one from HR interviewed me. It was 2 managers who roles are connected to the role I was going for (also a management role but a different specialty).

The role I applied for is very niche....I just happened to be particularly qualified for it..

OP posts:

Chippyway · 18/03/2018 16:07

What could you have been discriminated for though?? I don’t understand?

I mean, if I held an interview for a full time perminant position and that candidate was more interested in working from home or flexi working, then they probably wouldn’t be my number choice either. I don’t understand why that means you’ve been discriminated against??

Original poster

ApocalypseNowt · 18/03/2018 16:32

I believe it is indirect sex discrimination I.e. they haven't offered me the job because I asked about flexible working (something that as primary carers affects women much more than men). I made it very clear that if this was a barrier and full time was needed then to come back to me.

The people interviewing me didn't seem phased and actually sounded positive about this.

Fwiw it's the company that have come back to me with all this. They have basically told me I have been discriminated against!

OP posts:

AnoiaUnstickMyDrawers · 18/03/2018 19:41

I wonder if it has taken too long to fill the post, senior management have asked the interviewer why, interviewer said there were no good candidates. Manager has looked at the applications (this has happened before where I work). Manager has seen your application, asked what was wrong with your interview and not got a satisfactory answer / has been told you were no good because you have kids / asked about flexible working etc. and the shit has hit the fan.

Original poster

ApocalypseNowt · 18/03/2018 19:47

Sounds a likely scenario! Will be really interested to find out more in the next interview.

The guy who I met with was really nice but clearly annoyed with the behaviour of someone (or more than one person, who knows!).

I don't expect to be offered the job but if they asked I'd still consider it. It's a perfect job for me but you rarely see it advertised. I'd not be put off this organisation as the fact they're taking it seriously now bodes well I think.

We shall see...!

OP posts:

AnoiaUnstickMyDrawers · 19/03/2018 07:59

Could you update us when you have had the next interview? Please? I'm intrigued!

scurryfunge · 19/03/2018 08:07

It could be that all candidates asked about flexible working and the company are asking why no appointment was made.

ptwmummyof2 · 19/03/2018 08:11

If I were you I'd speak to them about reconsidering you for the role before you consent to any more meetings. You don't have to take part in their investigation as you don't owe them anything and it's time you could be spending doing something more worthwhile. But then I'm a bit more selfish like that

ptwmummyof2 · 19/03/2018 08:12

And you're right, if the reason they didn't accept you for the position is because of the flexible working request, then it is sex discrimination...

Original poster

ApocalypseNowt · 19/03/2018 08:33

Oh yes, I'll definitely update!

I'll also be a bit more prepared when I speak to them again. I was a bit thrown when asked about something that happened months ago, out of the blue!

OP posts:

scrabbler3 · 20/03/2018 19:46

So you think you still won't be offered the role...are they paying you for your time? Travel expenses? Don't get me wrong, helping a company weed out dodgy recruitment practices is a worthwhile thing to do, but only if you can afford the time and the transport cost.

If, on the other hand, it results in a job.......

Original poster

ApocalypseNowt · 21/03/2018 13:27

I have no idea if I'll be offered the job or not to be honest. I will be raising it when they next get in touch.

I see your point about travel expenses but as it's 10 mins walk from my current job it's genuinely not going to cost me anything!

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