Age discrimination case settled
A £6,000 out of court settlement was given to a medical receptionist three days before the age discrimination case was due to be heard in Scotland.
Ruth McNeil, 66, claimed that a Medical Practice in Lothian asked her to leave her post as a part-time receptionist after she handed in a P45 and they discovered she was over 65.
The case, supported by the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) Scotland, was settled by the employer, who can not be named, on a 'no admission of liability' condition.
Ms McNeil left a permanent job at Marks and Spencer to start working at the practice in September 2008, before being told that she could not be offered a contract of employment.
Muriel Robison, head of Legal Enforcement, Equality and Human Rights Commission Scotland said: "Sadly, despite legislation aimed at tackling age discrimination, people can still be treated unfairly at work because of their age. Ruth McNeil may be over 65 but has many skills of great value to employers.
"The EHRC believe that people with skills and ability who are able to work and who want to work should be allowed to do so."