Dismissed for being too young
We have all heard about businesses discriminating against the older members of their workforce. In the first case of its kind, however, a young woman has recently been awarded over £16,000 against her former employer who dismissed her because of her lack of years.
Leanne Wilkinson was just 18 when she was dismissed by a Newcastle upon Tyne-based engineering company from her position as an administrative assistant. The business said it needed an older person with more experience.
She took her employer to an employment tribunal under the Age Discrimination Regulations protecting young people that came into force in the autumn of 2006. The tribunal found that her age was the cause for the dismissal, saying that she had been the victim of a 'stereotypical assumption that capability equals experience and experience equals older age'.
If you have any concerns about the implications of age discrimination for your business, contact Bethan Southcombe on 0117 9290451 or email employment@metcalfes.co.uk.
Contact
Judith Ellery Head of Employment
Bethan Southcombe Solicitor
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