Employers - bizarre Tribunal claim!
Amazing claim!
An employment tribunal has rejected the age discrimination claim of a 16-year old job applicant who didn't get the job when he was unable to find his way to the employer's premises.
Sixteen-year old Darren Mirren applied for a job with Spotless Commercial Cleaning in Glasgow and was invited for an interview. When he failed to turn up, the employer contacted him at home but he explained that he didn't know how to get to the company's office, which was 20 minutes away by car. He was offered another interview and directions on how to get there, but he failed to take up the offer.
The teenager brought an age discrimination claim that somehow got to an employment tribunal, where he was represented by his father (who presumably helped him find the employment tribunal venue).
Dismissing the claim, the tribunal found that the claimant had not been given a job because he didn't to turn up to be interviewed, not because of his age. A Company representative said "This is the most bizarre tribunal case we have ever had. We didn't even meet him. He didn't turn up for two interview requests and it ended up at a tribunal."
People think they can claim for anything! Sadly, this type of action means downtime for key players in the business in preparing the defence and attending the hearing. If you're not quite big enough to employ HR support then call Commercial Hub HR and benefit from a high value virtual HR function at low cost.
Elaine Pennell
0845 1161 511
Commercial Hub HR
Read more about the case on The Scotsman website.
Date: 01/10/2008
Category: BUSINESS EDITORIAL