A 37-year-old woman trying to re-enter the workforce was left ‘shocked and offended’ after a male employer told her she was too old for the job.
Maria Nielson applied for a job at a Sydney hairdressing salon but was rejected at the final stage when the employee she was replacing decided to stay.
However, she saw that the same store was advertising another job a few months later, so she decided to reapply.
Ms Nielson texted the manager to let him know she was interested in the position, but his response left her stunned.
‘Hi, I saw your ad on Indeed. I would like to reapply for the job,” she wrote.
Maria Nielson, 37, was told by an employer (above) that she was too old to work in his barbershop
The employer wrote back: ‘I’m sorry, but honestly I don’t want to be rude, but with all my respect, because I have a lot of young clients, I’m looking for someone a little younger to work with me.
‘I hope you don’t get offended. Thanks again.’
Ms Neilson said she was so shocked by the response that she initially laughed.
It was only when she showed it to her husband that she was struck by the direness of the message.
“I showed it to my husband and he said, ‘Wow, that’s very offensive,’ and I said, ‘Yes, it is,'” she said 7 News on Saturday.
‘After that I just felt like I had to think a little more about my future and what options I have.’
It is illegal in Australia for an employer to reject someone based on their age – as well as race, religion or gender.
The crime is known as ‘ageism’.
The main defense against discrimination is that the candidate cannot adequately fulfill the “inherent requirements” of the position. For example, a candidate who is too young for a driver’s license cannot be hired as a delivery person.
Macpherson Kelley chief employment, security and migration lawyer John-Anthony Hodgens said job applicants could sue employers for discrimination.
Ms Nielson (above) was ‘shocked and offended’ by the employer’s response saying he was looking for ‘someone a bit younger’
Compensation can amount to up to $30,000.
“We may see a greater willingness from the courts to increase damages, with the aim of sending a message of deterrence to prevent people from engaging in this type of behaviour,” Mr Hodgens said.
He warned employers: “Be aware of hiring practices and procedures.”