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Business & Money

Payday for woman denied job for being 'too young'

Published: 17 Jan 13 10:23 CET | Print version
Online: http://www.thelocal.se/45662/20130117/

A woman who was denied a job as a receptionist for being "too young" has been awarded a settlement of 50,000 kronor ($7,700) by Sweden's Equality Ombudsman (Diskrimineringsombudsmannen).

The 20-year-old woman applied for a summer job as a guest house receptionist, armed with a CV boasting of experience in similar jobs and a secondary school education including a programme in the Hotels and Tourism field.

The guest house cited the woman's age as the reason she would not be hired.

"Thank you for your application, but unfortunately we're looking for someone older," management responded.

The lodge justified the move by explaining they have a policy of only hiring people who are at least 22-year-old.

The job was eventually given to three other people, all older than the woman.

The slighted 20-year-old contacted Sweden's Equality Ombudsman, which investigated the case and determined the rejection was a clear case of age discrimination.

"According to the discrimination laws, every prospective employee has the right to be judged on their merits when seeking work," ombudsman Agneta Broberg told the Lag & Avtal newspaper.

"In this case, it didn't happen as the woman concerned was deemed to be too young."

The guest house admitted to violating discrimination laws, and the woman was awarded a 50,000 kronor settlement.

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13:31 January 17, 2013 by Kn33grow
Where are all those who say an employer has the right to employ who he wants?
16:28 January 17, 2013 by Lowlin
They are living in failed countries where nepotism instead of employment based on merit is the law of the land.
17:19 January 17, 2013 by skogsbo
the employer should have been wiser and just said, she thought the others better candidates. Apart from the fact that this girl has now proven she is a future employeers nightmare and will find it tougher to get work locally for the rest of her life. Probably costing her far more than the few grand she just gained. So young, but completely lacking wisdom, there by proving the employer was correct in not hiring her!!
19:57 January 17, 2013 by Programmeny
This is just stupid. This is political corectness taken too far. This is why foreigners can't get a job in Sweden. This is why an employer can't and won't actually tell you why he doesn't want you, so you can improve and be better next time.

Instead, they just ignore your application instead, which is 1000 worse. I'd rather tell me the reason, even if it's "you're too ugly". I wouldn't mind.

Apparently this "Equallity Obudsman" has quite some power. Maybe I should play a few cards up that sleeve, seeing as I'm a foreigner, I can practically threaten any instutution with bullshit reasons for discrimination.

Hmmm... yeah. Maybe I can get a house that way. I'll try and let you know.
21:02 January 17, 2013 by dizzy09
@Programmeny

what the hell are u blabbing about?what has foreigners got to do with this article?
21:41 January 17, 2013 by foxpur
#4,

The "Equallity Obudsman" is the high court of equal opportunity, they have pretty much the highest authority.
08:33 January 18, 2013 by karex
@dizzy09 I think that Programmeny was being a bit sarcastic.
15:33 January 18, 2013 by tadchem
18-years olds are deemed mature enough serve in the army and to be responsible with lethal weapons, so why shouldn't 20-year olds be mature enough to manage a hotel reception desk?
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