Man rejected job under ethnic name but accepted under fake English name
Published: 2013 April 16 01:50:31 (4731 Views)
A refugee who was rejected for a job under his real name – Max Kpakio – but accepted when he changed it to Craig Owen said all he wanted was an apology.
The graduate said he was looking for £55,000 in damages from Virgin Atlantic.
But as his case began at an employment tribunal, he said all he wanted was for the airline to say sorry. He added: 'That would bring my dignity back because I do not want to live on benefits.
'Even if the hearing finds in my favour I wouldn't want a cent – if Virgin could just apologise or give me a job.'
The 36-year-old was overlooked for a call centre job by the airline after applying in his birth name.
However, the father-of-three, from Swansea, suspected his rejection might have been based on his ethnicity and reapplied in the made up British name.
Virgin offered him an interview almost immediately and, when he did not respond, allegedly sent a flurry of emails to try to get him on board.
Employment judge Claire Sharp said: 'The names are important here. If someone has not a traditional British name like Mr Kpakio's then you can make a guess at their ethnic origin from that name.'
Virgin denies racial discrimination, claiming the two applications were worded differently. The hearing in Cardiff continues.
- Metro
The graduate said he was looking for £55,000 in damages from Virgin Atlantic.
But as his case began at an employment tribunal, he said all he wanted was for the airline to say sorry. He added: 'That would bring my dignity back because I do not want to live on benefits.
'Even if the hearing finds in my favour I wouldn't want a cent – if Virgin could just apologise or give me a job.'
The 36-year-old was overlooked for a call centre job by the airline after applying in his birth name.
However, the father-of-three, from Swansea, suspected his rejection might have been based on his ethnicity and reapplied in the made up British name.
Virgin offered him an interview almost immediately and, when he did not respond, allegedly sent a flurry of emails to try to get him on board.
Employment judge Claire Sharp said: 'The names are important here. If someone has not a traditional British name like Mr Kpakio's then you can make a guess at their ethnic origin from that name.'
Virgin denies racial discrimination, claiming the two applications were worded differently. The hearing in Cardiff continues.
- Metro
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