In a recent development, a UK woman was fired for wearing sports shoes at work. A UK employment tribunal ruled in favor of 20-year-old Elizabeth Benassi by nearly £30,000 (Rs 32 lakh) after she was given the boot for wearing trainers to work. This judgment from the Croydon tribunal marks out important concerns regarding age-based discrimination and how younger employees are treated in the workplace.
Benassi started working at Maximus UK Services, a recruitment agency when she was just 18. She said she had no knowledge of the company having any formal dress code. Yet, one manager singled her out over her shoes, while other colleagues were wearing the same and nothing was said to them. Benassi alleged the incident was part of a larger trend of micromanaging and victimization by age.
UK Woman Fired for Wearing Sports Shoes at Work Just After Three Months of Employment
Her employment lasted only three months after being dismissed. It was heard that most of her fellow staff members were in their early twenties with Benassi being the youngest member of the team. Commenting on the case, Judge Forwell said Benassi was treated to a clear “desire to find fault” by management. The judgment criticized Maximus UK Services for failing to take into account her newness in the workplace or make it clear about the dress code in the workplace.
The company denied wrongdoing, saying its actions were justifiable. Still, the tribunal decided in favor of Benassi, ordering the company to pay her £29,187 in victimization compensation. It dismissed her age-related harassment claim but noted that her treatment raised serious issues of fairness and workplace equity.
Maximus UK Services, which provides services to the Department for Work and Pensions, is now being questioned regarding its approach to workplace management and how it treats its young employees.
This case sets a strong precedent for employment rights, especially for young workers navigating their early careers.
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