Does the reason I was not offered a job fall under discrimination?

[rodoal]

I have just been rejected from a final round interview (6 people interviewed for 3 jobs) for a graduate scheme in investment management - unfortunate for me!

However, the issue that bugs me is the reason given by the company for rejecting me: I was told that the single reason I could not be offered a place on the scheme is that because of the rotational aspect I would not be able to cope with the fast paced nature because I can sometimes be shy...

I was told by the company that I had all of the necessary academic requirements, that my work experience history was excellent, that I fitted the company values and and culture, that although my numeracy skills were not as good as a few other candidates, that didn't matter because I brought "skill sets" that the other candidates did not possess, but that I wouldn't be able to cope because I can be shy at times...

This may just be me feeling hard done by - as many other graduates trying to get a career started might feel when rejected from something there desperately want - but that to me gives off the impression that any one other than confident extroverts can't work for that company or succeed in any way, shape or form. I certainly didn't see the following line in any part of the recruitment process... '*Shy people need not apply...'

I know this doesn't quite fall into the same categories as gender, race, age or religion discrimination, but to me it feels like I have been discriminated against for being occasionally shy!

[lardhelmet]

I suspect they already knew who they were going to give the job to before they conducted the interviews (they always do at our place) and had to give you a reason why you weren't offered the job. I think the reason they've given you is ridiculous - they were obviously really hard pushed to come up with something. Good luck with future interviews - the right job is out there waiting for you somewhere rod!

[tamborine]

am amazed at an employer giving out such a list of reasons.......it shows how 'self important' they think they are. You're well rid of them as, am sure, they tease & torture staff while weilding iron bars.

Working for that ilk would drive you mental.

[factor-fiction]

I doubt lardhelmet's assessment is correct in this case.
Not every applicant can be successful and if the recruiter chooses to give reasons to the unsuccessful ones they may be given a range of reasons- maybe not assertive enough, maybe too pushy, maybe not a team player, maybe not inventive enough. Should they all claim they have been discrminated against for being unassertive, too pushy, etc. No. It's a very competitive market.
It's a long shot but you could always try telling them you are very disappointed and ask them to reconsider/give you another chance.
If not then just keep going.

[tamborine]

Not discriminatory!

[factor-fiction]

I think the employer feels they are being helpful by giving a reason. Is it better to give no reason or give a reason that people can either learn from or get defensive or upset about.

[tamborine]

No employer or employee is uniform, neither is the job market.

Different personalities suit different positions.

[sanden]

Logic says that if there are 3 jobs and 6 people interviewed, 3 are going to be disappointed. I am sure the right job is out there for you Rodoal.

[Buenchico]

First of all, discrimination (per se) is not illegal. It's perfectly legal to discriminate against morris dancers, Labour Party members, smokers, people with blue eyes, cardigan wearers, or almost anything else. It's only specific forms of discrimination (such as those based upon race or gender) which are illegal.

You seem to have been rather fortunate in that you actually got some feedback from an employer. Very few employers bother to provide such feedback. Based upon my own experiences, those of others I know and also conversations with JobCentre staff, I'd be very surprised if more than one or two per cent of employers ever provide any form of feedback. The only time I've ever had any feedback (from several thousand job applications) was last year when I was told, in writing, that I was "too intelligent" for the job. I suppose that also counts as 'discrimination'!

Chris