Karen applied for an apprenticeship at a garage in Surrey. She was the best qualified applicant and had already worked in a garage as part of her work experience.
At her interview she was asked whether she minded spending all day in a pair of dirty overalls, covered in oil and grease. Karen said she wasn’t bothered, but didn’t get the job.
Karen believed she had been unfairly discriminated against and took her case to an employment tribunal. The tribunal agreed and awarded just over £24,000 for loss of earnings and injury to her feelings.