unfair job interview process

Mr_s

Hey everybody!
First time poster here!

I'm looking some advice with regards to an unfair job interview process.

In the coming week, i am going for an internal promotion where on paper, I am the best candidate for the job, and assuming I conduct myself well, one of the posts should be mine.

Unfortunately, I believe I have been discriminated against in the past for being a male under the age of 25. A few years ago, I was unofficially told that 'we don't usually give young men a chance. We prefer women aged 25-40' which is clearly true. 90% of the staff here are females aged 25-40. I was employed under the previous manager, I assume by fluke, or to cover their backs by employing some men.

I have been denied opportunities and lied to in the past. For example, I was told if I wanted to gain an education in the field I work in, I would have to fund it myself, as the work place no longer supports any kind of advanced education programme. Yet a few months later, one of my colleagues, who began employment after me, started a part time programme, fully supported and funded by our workplace. I believe this was due to me not being part of the mould. I was later told that it was sheer luck that she was accepted and I wasn't.

In my last interview for an internal promotion, the feedback I was given was incorrect. They suggested a list of things I should have mentioned. A lot of them I clearly remember mentioning in thorough detail. I didn't contest this at the time due to nerves and disappointment.

The actual work we perform isn't gender specific one bit.

One third of the interview pannel will be external, although these are usually friends of the manager, employed by the same organisation, who simply work in different departments. Whom of which were all relatively familiar with.

In any other situation I'd walk away with my head held high and admit I tired my best, but the general vibe around the place is that I've already been written off as a possible candidate for being a young man.

I don't want to sound like I'm making false accusations, it is an issue which has been discussed before, and really appreciate any advice from anybody who has suffered this kind of discrimination, or anybody who has knowledge of the topic.

Much appreciated!

InsideInsurance

Is this an industry thing or a company thing?

Ultimately you can raise your grievance internally and if you arent happy with the result there is always the courts but clearly none of these are going to win you employee of the month even if they arent supposed to impact you.

If its an industry thing, eg you're a male midwife, then your options remain the same but realistically you arent going to be suing every employer you have for the next 40 years