A town council has been ordered to pay almost £3,000 in compensation to a job applicant after an employment tribunal found it had indirectly discriminated against him on the grounds of age.
Lymington and Pennington Town Council in Hampshire was told to pay £2,792 to Mr Sheehy, who applied for the role of town clerk in March 2024. The tribunal heard that the job advertisement required 10 years' managerial experience, a relevant degree, and a Certificate in Local Council Administration. Mr Sheehy, 29, had seven years' experience as a town clerk and held the certificate but lacked a degree.
Judge Dawson ruled that the 10-year experience requirement placed people aged 31 or under at a disadvantage, particularly when combined with the degree requirement. The council failed to provide evidence that 10 years' experience was reasonably necessary, rather than, for example, eight years.
The judge upheld the claim of indirect age discrimination for March 1, 2024, when the age limit was applied, but not for March 6, when the council reconsidered his application. Mr Sheehy was awarded £2,500 plus £292 interest for injury to his feelings.
Following the judgment, Councillor Colm McCarthy expressed regret that the recruitment process led to a tribunal, costing taxpayer time and money. He noted that the judge's assessment was accurate and the council is now focused on serving the community.
