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Transgender woman settles case against Debenhams

Transgender woman settles case against Debenhams
16/01/2020
Case supported by the Equality Commission.








Ava Moore, a young woman from Newry, has settled her sex discrimination case against Debenhams for £9,000. The Equality Commission supported the case and it was settled by Debenhams with no admission of liability.

Ava MooreAva Moore loves fashion, shopping and the whole retail experience. She applied for a job with Debenhams in Newry as a temporary sales assistant in the run up to Christmas 2018. She was invited for interview and believed that she had performed well, but was notified a few days later that she had been unsuccessful. 

Ava said: “I was really disappointed that I didn’t get the job. I thought I had completed a good interview which had included interacting with customers on the sales floor. This job was exactly what I’d been looking for and I thought that I’d be really good at it. However, during the course of the interview I felt a change in the atmosphere after I provided my birth certificate which discloses my gender history and the fact that I am a transgender woman.” 

After being formally informed of the decision by Debenhams not to employ her, Ava received an anonymous email which alleged that she had been unsuccessful in her job application because she is a transgender woman.  

Ava Moore continued: “I was so upset. What does my gender have to do with my ability to make sales? I’m just trying to make a better life for myself, I want to work and support myself. My confidence was rocked and I was just so deflated – I felt that it didn’t matter how hard I tried, or how well I performed at interview, it just seemed to me that my gender was more important than being able to do the job.”

Dr Michael Wardlow, Chief Commissioner of the Equality Commission said: “The issue here is simple – a job should go to the person who does best at interview and in selection tests. That’s what equality of opportunity in practice means. The company confirmed that Ava performed well at interview and in interacting with customers –and she says she told them she was willing to work the hours required. The more open and inclusive the recruitment process, the more likely it is to avoid unlawful discrimination and increase the likelihood of getting the best and most qualified people for the job.

“Debenhams has said it’s willing to liaise with the Commission to review its Equal Opportunities policies, practices and procedures – we welcome this commitment and look forward to working with them.”

The company affirms its commitment to the principle of equality of opportunity and to ensuring its policies, practices and procedures comply with national and European equality law and the relevant codes of practice, in particular, the Sex Discrimination (NI) Order 1976. Debenhams has undertaken to meet the Commission to review these.

 


Note to Editor 

 

  • The case was taken under the Sex Discrimination (NI) Order 1976 which makes it unlawful to discriminate against transgender people.
  • In Northern Ireland it is unlawful, when recruiting or making an appointment, to discriminate against someone on any of the grounds covered by anti-discrimination legislation. It is when equality law is contravened that the Equality Commission can become involved in a recruitment issue. Prevention, however, is the best policy and to this end we work extensively with employers – public and private, large and small – to offer advice on how to recruit fairly and avoid the risk of contravening of the anti-discrimination laws. 
  • We offer online resources such as model policies, advice and information by phone, email or in person and a programme of free training in equality law and employment.

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