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NHS manager wins compensation for age discrimination
Fri 21 May 2010
An NHS trust has insisted it has learned lessons after a manager secured a six-figure sum in compensation after falling victim to age discrimination.
Linda Sturdy, 56, applied for a position which would involve managing a breast screening service at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust.
However, she was overlooked in favour of a 43-year-old colleague who did not have as much experience, the Daily Mail reports.
In addition, one of the managers at the trust told Mrs Sturdy that they did not realise she was "so old" when she submitted her application.
Mrs Sturdy was offered a more junior position instead, but refused to take up the role and was subsequently fired.
She was later reinstated but made redundant on the day she returned to work, which prompted her to take legal action.
The employment tribunal ruled in Mrs Sturdy's favour and has awarded her £187,000 compensation.
David von Hagen, an employment law partner at Winckworth Sherwood Solicitors, said Mrs Sturdy "seemed to be a clear cut victim of age discrimination".
"The assumption was made that a 43-year-old would be better at a job than a 56-year-old simply because she was younger, particularly with Mrs Sturdy's superior qualifications and experience," he commented.
"The comments about not realising Mrs Sturdy was 'so old' when she applied for the job reinforces this stereotyped view and may have led to an award for injury to feelings.
"This is precisely the kind of case the legislation is designed to cover and protect against."
According to a survey by the European Commission, 58 per cent of Europeans believed age discrimination was widespread in their country during 2009 - up from 42 per cent in the previous year.
