A young mum claims she was turned down for a manual labour job because she is a woman.
Despite being fully trained in electrical installations, Rosamund Allen says she was told she was physically weaker than men going for the same role fitting conveyor belts.
The 22-year-old said that during her interview at Stevens Belting Ltd in Soham, Cambridgeshire, she thought she was part of a game show prank.
After having two children, Rosamund was desperate to get back to work, but claims she was disheartened to hear the sexist comments.
She said she left feeling like she should have just done hair and beauty at college like the other girls.
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Rosamund, from Petersborough, Cambridgeshire, said: The second I stepped foot off that property I burst into tears. I spent two days wanting to cry.
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The interviewer kept repeating that he didnt know I was a woman. I think they thought Rosamund was a mans name.
This is the only company that got back to me so far and it was only because they thought I was a man.
I felt like I was being pranked on a game-show, honestly. I was so distraught.
She claims that when she arrived on site for her interview, she was given a weird look.
The guy said “oh, I didnt know you were a woman. Well, come with me”, Rosamund said.
He led me off into the office but from the get-go he kept looking at me all confused.
He said “I dont think my boss knew you were a woman either”.
That threw me but I tried to power through and smile. He didnt really seem that interested in asking me any questions at all in the interview.
He sat there and just talked about himself a bit then gave me a very, very brief description of the job.
I said in passing that Id decided to have a child, then I went to college and got my qualifications.
I was trying to make the point that I am qualified for this and so he looked back at my CV and said “are you sure that you would want this job? You seem a bit overqualified”.
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She claims the interviewer also asked if her children would make her late for work and if she enjoyed baking.
The man said as well as working in the workshop manufacturing the conveyor belts, the workers would also be going on site to fit them, she said.
They get a £40 call out bonus for doing it, then he added “but you wouldnt be able to do that because youre a woman”.
He told me “because women are physically weaker, you wouldnt be able to lift the equipment”.
Rosamund said she repeatedly contacted Stevens Belting Ltd to find out the outcome of the interview and complain about her treatment but claims the company has so far ignored her.
I really tried to power through because I needed the job but they didnt even respond to say “Im sorry he came across that way”, she said.
It feels now like they are supporting sexism in the company.
The ironic thing is they had an old man in the shop and chances are I could lift more than him – especially because Ive got two kids that constantly want carrying around.
Stevens Belting Ltd have not responded to requests for comment.
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