Firm fails to give deaf man a chance

4:39pm Friday 25th January 2008

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An electronics company has been ordered to pay compensation to an East Molesey man who was denied a job interview because he is deaf.

In a scathing judgment, South London Employment Tribunal said Woking-based Multipulse Electronics' decision to cancel an interview with 45-year-old Keith Wynn was "founded on the worst type of stereotypical assumptions".

Mr Wynn, 45, who worked in a similar role for 25 years at another company, was told his interview was cancelled because the company had not organised a sign language interpreter.

He sought legal advice after failed attempts to have his interview rescheduled, and was told by Multipulse Electronics that a company of its size gave instructions orally and could not employ a specialist interpreter.

At the tribunal in October last year, Multipulse's company secretary Mr P Scott noted that Mr Wynn's skills and abilities were not an issue.

He also admitted to not asking Mr Wynn, nor making any inquiries generally, about whether additional resources would be necessary.

The tribunal concluded that Mr Wynn was less favourably treated on the grounds of his disability and that only very slight adjustments would have needed to be made to accommodate him.

It said all the company's actions "were predicated on ignorant, erroneous, stereotypical assumptions of Mr Wynn's abilities".

Mr Wynn said: "I was deeply upset and depressed by Multipulse Electronics' decision to deny me an opportunity to secure employment because of my disability.

"It is indeed unfortunate when experienced and capable individuals are not given the chance to make a contribution to the workplace."