Wheelchair-user's interview 'cancelled as office is not accessible'

Holly Girven had a job interview cancelled when a law firm found out she used a wheelchair
Holly Girven/Facebook
Charlie Duffield25 August 2020

A trainee barrister claims she had her job interview cancelled after the law firm found out she used a wheelchair and claimed the building was not accessible.

Holly Girven, 23, from North Lincolnshire, applied for a litigation paralegal job in Sheffield on a recruitment website, which provides legal services for BT.

She was contacted by the agency Paralaw, who said BT was keen to interview her.

However, when Ms Girven mentioned she was a wheelchair user and enquired about access, she said she was told the office wasn't accessible as it was an old telephone exchange.

Then, when she enquired about remote working, she said she was told BT didn't want her to work from home due to productivity concerns.

BT has said it is "conducting a full investigation" into the incident. Paralaw has been approached for comment.

Speaking to the Standard, Ms Girven said: "At first I was really upset - it's really hard in the current climate to find a job, and so to be offered an interview is exciting.

"I had gotten my hopes up and then the interview was withdrawn for a reason out of my control.

"I was then angry that it happened as I am sure I am not the first person it has happened to.

Ms Girven tweeted about her experience and has since been inundated with messages of support.

One person commented: "This is appalling. It’s illegal. I would name the firms concerned. Good luck with job hunt."

Another added: "This happened to me once. I made them interview me anyway at a local cafe (their bill). I knew I wouldn’t get the job but I felt I had a point to prove."

BT said it was "conducting a full investigation", although the law firm has not yet commented.

Speaking to the BBC, Ms Girven described her experience as "upsetting" and said: "They had seen my CV.

"They said... we would like to interview you and then to be rejected for something completely out of my control just seemed really unfair."

She is now calling for a requirement that job adverts should include information such as wheelchair access, and should explicitly state whether remote and flexible working is possible.

In a statement, BT said: "We take these allegations, and our equal opportunity policies, very seriously, and we expect everyone working with BT to comply with these policies.

"We're concerned to hear any allegations where this may not have been the case.

"We're conducting a full investigation and will ensure that Holly is kept updated on the progress of that investigation."

Ms Girven said that since raising awareness about the issue, several others have said they have experienced this across the country at different companies.

The Standard has contacted the law firm involved and is awaiting their response.