sexual discrimination

[Jules001]

My son is looking for weekend work and whilst out shopping this morning I noticed that a candle shop was looking for full and part time staff so when he came home from college I got him to go to the shopping centre to try for the part time job. He took a CV with him and a pen to fill out any application forms, however he was told by a member of staff in the shop that they don't employ boys! I was furious when he came home and told me and phoned the store and spoke to the Manageress, she told me it was another member of staff who had told my son this, but that the owner preferred girls working in the shop as it is mostly women who buy candles. I told her that it was discrimination and there was no reason on Earth why a candle can't be sold by either gender and that I would be taking it further, she then said my son could take his cv back in again tomorrow. Even if he does this, I don't think he would get a fair go as the owner has pre-conceived ideas, but can I report this as discrimination and if so who to?

[Whickerman]

he is SO getting compo for that one...

[dot.hawkes]

absolutely, the shop owner perhaps thinks they are outside of the rules as they only employ a small workforce, but they are the wage and employment rules, not the EU laws, god they are so in bother!

[WoWo]

As you say his card is either marked and you would have a great case for discrimination or they will almost be forced to give him the job to avoid any future problems.

[Jules001]

Just as an update for this one, I drafted a letter on behalf of my son enclosing documentation from EOC and hand delivered it to the shop, lo and behold my son got a phone call from the owner asking him to bring in his cv, he did that and while he was there had a short interview, couple of hours later a phone call came telling him he had a job! Result! thanks everyone who took the time to reply and help with this one.

Jules