Can you be discriminated against because of experience?

**CheeseSlice** · 28 April 2009, 16:35

Originally posted by gdm View Post

Hi All,
I'm not as clued up on the age discrimination laws as I should, so was hoping someone here had a view.

Just had a call with a recruiter for a role that was right up my alley. Job specification was a perfect fit, rate was just a tad less than I'm on now, term length was good, and above all, it was for the Beeb.

However, after reviewing my CV, the recruiter said I was not suitable because I had "too much experience", and that the BBC only wanted candidates with up to 7 years experience in the field (I happen to have 9+). I thought this was a polite way of getting me to go away, so I reiterated that I was capable of delivering what the specification said, I did not consider myself too senior, was quite eager to do things that the spec stated, and that I would jump at the chance to work for the Beeb, and hey, its only 15 min from my house as well!

But no, she kept coming back and saying that the BBC specified they did not want anyone with more than 7 years experience.

So what do you guys think? Is this an example of age discrimination? At this point, I don't care about the role, but if they are breaking the law I think there should be a way for me to file a complaint...

Thoughts?

Don't quote me on this as I'm no expert (try asking on a law forum perhaps?) but it doesn't sound like age discrimination to me since they're specifying experience. Why they would do this though is anyones guess, it just sounds plain wrong to not want experience, especially for contract work...more is better.
Maybe the person who is requesting the resource has 7 years experience and wants to defend their turf??

**EternalOptimist** · 28 April 2009, 16:37

Originally posted by gdm View Post

Hi All,
I'm not as clued up on the age discrimination laws as I should, so was hoping someone here had a view.

Just had a call with a recruiter for a role that was right up my alley. Job specification was a perfect fit, rate was just a tad less than I'm on now, term length was good, and above all, it was for the Beeb.

However, after reviewing my CV, the recruiter said I was not suitable because I had "too much experience", and that the BBC only wanted candidates with up to 7 years experience in the field (I happen to have 9+). I thought this was a polite way of getting me to go away, so I reiterated that I was capable of delivering what the specification said, I did not consider myself too senior, was quite eager to do things that the spec stated, and that I would jump at the chance to work for the Beeb, and hey, its only 15 min from my house as well!

But no, she kept coming back and saying that the BBC specified they did not want anyone with more than 7 years experience.

So what do you guys think? Is this an example of age discrimination? At this point, I don't care about the role, but if they are breaking the law I think there should be a way for me to file a complaint...

Thoughts?

If it was a job picking peanuts, or corn niblets out of steaming turds, I would say - contest it.
As it is for the beeb, I say, thank your lucky stars and run like fck

not for worldwide by any chance ?

**ASB** · 28 April 2009, 16:45

You can perfectly legally discriminate against anybody where there is no legislation to prevent it.

There is some Age Discriminiation Legislation and if you could establish that the 'n' years experience can only be obtained by a certain age, thus disqualifying older applicants then you might have a chance (though it does seem very unlikely.....).

Ideally you should try and ensure that the relevant requirements could never be met by a one legged muslim irish lesbian then you've got loads of different potential complaints.

**Platypus** · 28 April 2009, 16:54

Could you apply through another agency with a suitably doctored CV showing only 6.5 years experience?

P.S. sounds like age discrimination to me but impossible to prove. According to a Despatches documentary I saw "too much experience / too senior / over qualified" are all code words for "too old"

**CheeseSlice** · 28 April 2009, 17:03

The beeb have a whole website/area dedicated to freelancers going either direct or via an agency. Have you looked at the information there regarding policies etc?

Would like to think a public corporation funded by mandatory license fees has some kind of equal opportunities / tendering policy.

**gdm** · 28 April 2009, 17:07

Thanks everyone for your replies.

I've looked as well and the legislation doesn't mention a thing about experience, just age. I suppose it would be tough to prove.

Just annoying as f*** that a role I am qualified and happy to do is out of my reach because of some arbitrary limitation set by a tax-funded body....

Heck I'm only 36, I suppose this will only get worse from here on out!

**ASB** · 28 April 2009, 17:15

Originally posted by gdm View Post

Thanks everyone for your replies.

I've looked as well and the legislation doesn't mention a thing about experience, just age. I suppose it would be tough to prove.

Just annoying as f*** that a role I am qualified and happy to do is out of my reach because of some arbitrary limitation set by a tax-funded body....

Heck I'm only 36, I suppose this will only get worse from here on out!

Thje more beliigernt amongst us might submit a slighlty different - but still accurate CV that magically lost a few years of experience and age.

**HairyArsedBloke** · 28 April 2009, 17:25

Originally posted by ASB View Post

....that the relevant requirements could never be met by a one legged muslim irish lesbian ....

only

This is the BBC after all.

**Alf W** · 28 April 2009, 17:49

Permy or Contract role?

There is no discrimination legislation for business to business contracts.

If it's a permy role - wrong forum.

Can you be discriminated against because of experience?