WATCH: Transgender woman settles sex discrimination case against Debenhams

by Gráinne Connolly

A transgender woman from Newry has settled a sex discrimination case against Debenhams for £9,000. 

Ava Moore claimed she was unsuccessful in her job application with the company in 2018 when staff learned of her gender history in the final stages of the interview process. 

She applied for a temporary sales assistant position in a Debenhams branch in her hometown Newry, in the run up to Christmas 2018. 

Despite performing well, Ava was turned down for the role. 

She said she felt a change in atmosphere during the interview when she provided her birth certificate which disclosed her gender history. 

“I was really disappointed that I didn’t get the job. I thought I had completed a good interview which had included interacting with customers on the sales floor.

"This job was exactly what I’d been looking for and I thought that I’d be really good at it.

"However, during the course of the interview I felt a change in the atmosphere after I provided my birth certificate which discloses my gender history and the fact that I am a transgender woman.”

Ava said the ordeal left her feeling deflated and and her confidence was "rocked". 

Ava Moore from Newry has settled a sex discrimination case against Debenhams for £9,000. She claims she was unsuccessful in her job application with the company in 2018, when staff learned she was transgender in the final stages of the interview process. More on @qnewsdesk pic.twitter.com/d7XqgLwRkJ

— Gráinne Connolly (@grainne555) January 16, 2020

After being formally informed of the decision by Debenhams not to employ her, Ava received an anonymous email which alleged that she had been unsuccessful in her job application because she is a transgender woman.

“I was so upset. What does my gender have to do with my ability to make sales? I’m just trying to make a better life for myself, I want to work and support myself.

"My confidence was rocked and I was just so deflated – I felt that it didn’t matter how hard I tried, or how well I performed at interview, it just seemed to me that my gender was more important than being able to do the job.”

The Equality Commission supported Ms Moore's case, which Debenhams settled with no admission of liability. 

Dr Michael Wardlow, Chief Commissioner of the Equality Commission said, “The issue here is simple – a job should go to the person who does best at interview and in selection tests.

"That’s what equality of opportunity in practice means. The company confirmed that Ava performed well at interview and in interacting with customers –and she says she told them she was willing to work the hours required. 

"The more open and inclusive the recruitment process, the more likely it is to avoid unlawful discrimination and increase the likelihood of getting the best and most qualified people for the job."

🎥 Chief Equality Commissioner @WardlowEquality says every year less than 1 or 2% of the cases @EqualityCommNI deals with involves members of the transgender community. It comes after Debenhams paid out £9,000 to Ava Moore from Newry, to settle a sex discrimination case. pic.twitter.com/Xzv9MwlS73

— Q Radio News (@qnewsdesk) January 16, 2020

Debenhams has said it's willing to liaise with the Equality Commission to review its Equal Opportunities policies, practices and procedures.