A 37-year-old hairdresser who was turned down for a job because she was ‘too old’ has not ruled out taking legal action against the Sydney barbershop.
Maria Neilson told Daily Mail Australia she is weighing her options after the store’s male manager rejected her job application because of her age.
Ms Neilson, who has more than a decade of experience in the hairstyling industry, messaged the manager in December to express interest in an online vacancy but was told he wanted “someone younger” to fill the role.
Ms Neilson said she is considering the possible next steps she could take, including filing a complaint with Anti-Discrimination NSW or taking legal action.
“I was shocked, I never thought I would receive such a message,” she said.
‘I have been a hairdresser since 2011 and have been working as a hairdresser since 2016 and I am good at what I do.
Ms Nielson (above) was ‘shocked and offended’ by the employer’s response saying he was looking for ‘someone a bit younger’
“So the fact that he has chosen to make a decision about my age rather than give me a trial to see what I can do has become a big question for me.”
Ms Neilson applied for a role at the store in late 2023 but was rejected at the final stage when the employee she would have replaced decided to stay on.
However, she saw that the same store was advertising another job a few months later, so she decided to reapply.
Ms Nielson texted the manager to let him know she was interested in the position, but his response left her stunned.
‘Hi, I saw your ad on Indeed. I would like to reapply for the job,” she wrote.
The employer wrote back: ‘I’m sorry, but honestly I don’t want to be rude, but with all my respect, because I have a lot of young clients, I’m looking for someone a little younger to work with me.
‘I hope you don’t get offended. Thanks again.’
Ms Neilson said she was so shocked by the response that she initially laughed.
It was only when she showed it to her husband that she was struck by the direness of the message.
“I showed it to my husband and he said, ‘Wow, that’s very offensive,’ and I said, ‘Yes, it is,’” she said.
Maria Nielson, 37, was told by an employer (above) that she was too old to work in his barbershop
‘After that I just felt like I had to think a little more about my future and what options I have.’
While she is still looking for work in the hair industry, Ms Neilson said her hobby baking business, which sells Danish-inspired desserts, is fortunately busy.
It is illegal in Australia for an employer to reject someone based on their age – as well as race, religion or gender.
The crime is known as ‘ageism’.
The main defense against discrimination is that the candidate cannot adequately fulfill the “inherent requirements” of the position. For example, a candidate who is too young for a driver’s license cannot be hired as a delivery person.
Macpherson Kelley chief employment, security and migration lawyer John-Anthony Hodgens said job applicants could sue employers for discrimination.
Compensation can amount to up to $30,000.
“We may see a greater willingness from the courts to increase damages, with the aim of sending a message of deterrence to prevent people from engaging in this type of behaviour,” Mr Hodgens said.
He warned employers: “Be aware of hiring practices and procedures.”
