By Denis Sheehan FIH
In a shocking report published by the BBC last week, a disabled woman attending a job interview with a Toby Carvery restaurant , owned and operated by Mitchells & Butlers, in Billingham, Teesside claimed she was told by the interviewer when the interviewer realised she had disabilities, the job “isn’t going to work” as the branch was busy and suggested she looked for a “more leisurely” role.
The interviewee was Victoria Clark, who was accompanied by Heidi Smith, managing director of Learning Abilities CIC, a job coach supporting her client, due to her disabilities.
The BBC report of the incident sets out that Ms Clark was called over for the interview, and Ms Smith alleged she explained she was there as a job coach to support her client, due to her disabilities.
Ms Smith said: “Straightaway, this lady didn’t enquire what the disabilities were, had no kind of awareness, no kind of patience and she just said, ‘this isn’t going to work if she’s got disabilities’.
“I think I was just very aghast, because I couldn’t really believe what I was hearing, and I’ve also got to remember that I’ve got a vulnerable client with me.”
The journalists credited with the report, David Llewellyn from BBC Radio Tees, and Federica Bedendo from BBC News, North East and Cumbria also reported on the response from a spokesperson for Toby Carvery, who said: “We are proud of our record as an inclusive employer, and we know from our employee survey data that we support many employees with learning disabilities to have successful careers, clearly demonstrating our commitment to providing equal employment opportunities for all.
“We cannot comment on this particular case other than to say we that have received a complaint and are taking the matter very seriously.
“We will fully investigate the concerns raised but is not helpful to do so in public and we will not be commenting further until we have explored the matter fully.”
While searching for further insight to the unfortunate affair, which of course blights the perspective of many towards working in our industry, we found a delightful end to this story, in The Northern Echo.
Kayleigh Fraser, The Northern Echo’s East Durham reporter in her article ‘Woman’s job success after Toby Carvery interview axed’ reported as follows… Victoria, who was “angry” and “upset” by the rejection, has now revealed that she has secured a job at The Swan pub in Billingham.
She told The Northern Echo: “At my new job I’m doing a whole mixture of things – I’ve been serving, taking orders, taking orders to the bar and serving drinks.
“I was then able to go behind the bar and help clean up and organise cutlery. I love it so far, I have had my in job support with me but I was able to do it all myself.”
Following her interview ordeal, Victoria is now happy and settled in her job and said she is already getting compliments from both her boss and customers she’s serving.
“My boss is really nice and had a chat with me at the end of my shift”, she added.
“Customers were saying I was doing fantastic – that I was really polite and helpful.”
A refreshing end to a story rescued by The Swan pub in Billingham, Stockton-on-Tees, thank you. And good luck Victoria, the team at H&C News wish you every success in your new role.
