I Think I've Encountered Discrimination.

TheBottomLine_2

I'll try to keep it short. I applied for a job I found via the JCP web site, this involved me phoning them up and the nice chap invited me in for an interview. The job was cold-calling (please don't hate me...) so as a blind person with very little sight a job that's mostly talking suits me. My interview lasted all of two minutes, if even that, and I was asked no questions about me. He just told me a bit about the job then said they'd be in touch.

After five weeks of hearing nothing I noticed the job has gone from the JCP web site so I called them to see if they would tell me why I had been unsuccessful and the man said that basically they don't have to tell me anything and hung up on me. I was very polite with my request.

I may be reading the situation wrongly but it seems to me that as soon as the man saw me with my long cane and eye protectors he immediately decided not to employ me and went through the motions with a little 'interview'. I was wondering if anyone has any opinions on this and should I do something about it or just leave it?

Cheers.

terra_ferma

I would give Acas a ring, they would be able to advise you.




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wontfallforit

TheBottomLine wrote: »

I'll try to keep it short. I applied for a job I found via the JCP web site, this involved me phoning them up and the nice chap invited me in for an interview. The job was cold-calling (please don't hate me...) so as a blind person with very little sight a job that's mostly talking suits me. My interview lasted all of two minutes, if even that, and I was asked no questions about me. He just told me a bit about the job then said they'd be in touch.

After five weeks of hearing nothing I noticed the job has gone from the JCP web site so I called them to see if they would tell me why I had been unsuccessful and the man said that basically they don't have to tell me anything and hung up on me. I was very polite with my request.

I may be reading the situation wrongly but it seems to me that as soon as the man saw me with my long cane and eye protectors he immediately decided not to employ me and went through the motions with a little 'interview'. I was wondering if anyone has any opinions on this and should I do something about it or just leave it?

Cheers.

TheBottomLine, where are you based? If it's a telephone-based role you're after, I might have some suggestions of companies you could look at. I've worked in callcentres where adjustments have been made for blind/partially-sighted workers.

Unfortunate as it is, you may find that only multi-million/(billion!) pound companies will be willing and able to make adjustments for you. Some may already be set up for a B/PS worker, if they've had somebody work there in the past.

epatolles

TheBottomLine wrote: »

I'll try to keep it short. I applied for a job I found via the JCP web site, this involved me phoning them up and the nice chap invited me in for an interview. The job was cold-calling (please don't hate me...) so as a blind person with very little sight a job that's mostly talking suits me. My interview lasted all of two minutes, if even that, and I was asked no questions about me. He just told me a bit about the job then said they'd be in touch.

After five weeks of hearing nothing I noticed the job has gone from the JCP web site so I called them to see if they would tell me why I had been unsuccessful and the man said that basically they don't have to tell me anything and hung up on me. I was very polite with my request.

I may be reading the situation wrongly but it seems to me that as soon as the man saw me with my long cane and eye protectors he immediately decided not to employ me and went through the motions with a little 'interview'. I was wondering if anyone has any opinions on this and should I do something about it or just leave it?

Cheers.

Hi,

I went for a job like this about 2 years ago. I am able bodied, I have a degree and experience in sales. I was unsuccessful at interview and found out from the jobcentre that no one was successful as the company was one of these fly by night types who hadn't paid the rent on the office they were in and were chucked out a couple of days after I'd been interviewed.

It may be the case that this company is the same and if you did think they discriminated against you your probably better off not working for someone like them!

santacruz_2

It's horrible when you get those 'interviews' when either they know you're not suitable for the job and just talk about their stupid company (bitter much?) or you know your not suitable and realize you got excited for nothing!

I think it was strange that your interview was so short to be honest, i mean what else are you supposed to think?

Dick_Van_Dyke

It may well be you didnt get the job for genuine reasons (i.e better candidates) and their policy is not to give any information to avoid claims of discrimination etc.

You may not like it but its perfectly legal

Now you could DSAR for shortlisting criteria etc and if you could then prove discrimination fair enough but extrermly unlikely.

Adamb_3

TheBottomLine wrote: »

I'll try to keep it short. I applied for a job I found via the JCP web site, this involved me phoning them up and the nice chap invited me in for an interview. The job was cold-calling (please don't hate me...) so as a blind person with very little sight a job that's mostly talking suits me. My interview lasted all of two minutes, if even that, and I was asked no questions about me. He just told me a bit about the job then said they'd be in touch.

After five weeks of hearing nothing I noticed the job has gone from the JCP web site so I called them to see if they would tell me why I had been unsuccessful and the man said that basically they don't have to tell me anything and hung up on me. I was very polite with my request.

I may be reading the situation wrongly but it seems to me that as soon as the man saw me with my long cane and eye protectors he immediately decided not to employ me and went through the motions with a little 'interview'. I was wondering if anyone has any opinions on this and should I do something about it or just leave it?

Cheers.

I am sorry that you have experienced this way, the bottomline. Like you, I have encountered not so good situations in looking for a job. I have been declined 3 maybe 4 times by those companies before and I have learned that competition is real and tough. Employers will not see their applicants equally, some would definitely stand out. Maybe, that opening was not for you yet. So don't fret, I'm sure that there is something better for you. Turn this experience into a motivation. Remember, good things happen to those who wait. :A

TheBottomLine_2

Thanks for the response guys. I don't think I'll bother doing anything about it, I was just pretty angry at being hung-up on. I'm at the job centre tomorrow to see the DEA so I think I'll mention it to her, maybe they can give the company a telling-off, I dunno.

As long as everyone got the same pants treatment that I did then I'll be okay with that.

jdturk

TheBottomLine wrote: »

Thanks for the response guys. I don't think I'll bother doing anything about it, I was just pretty angry at being hung-up on. I'm at the job centre tomorrow to see the DEA so I think I'll mention it to her, maybe they can give the company a telling-off, I dunno.

As long as everyone got the same pants treatment that I did then I'll be okay with that.

They won't be able to tell a company of for something you cannot prove

terra_ferma

I don't think you should give up so easily! It will be up to them to demonstrate they have not discriminated against you. It may be difficult to prove, but if nobody challenges nothing will change!

Some info for you:
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/DisabledPeople/Employmentsupport/YourEmploymentRights/DG_4001071

http://www.disability-discrimination.com/pages/home/disability-discrimination-law.php

http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/index/your_rights/civil_rights/disability_discrimination.htm

This is from the rnib:
http://www.rnib.org.uk/livingwithsightloss/yourrights/disabilitydiscriminationact/Pages/what_to_do.aspx


Same case law, may not be applicable, but it shows that it can be done!!!!
http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/index/your_rights/civil_rights/disability_discrimination.htm

TheBottomLine_2

Thanks for all that terra, you have been busy! I'll give ACAS a call later and see what they say about it, I've never done anything like it before so I haven't a clue what might happen. If they did discriminate against me because of my disability then they should not be allowed to get away with that. I'll post an update here later.