A 20-year-old woman in the UK, dismissed for wearing trainers (a type of sports shoes) to work, has been awarded £30,000 (Rs 32,20,818) in compensation after an employment tribunal ruled in her favour, as reported by The Metro.
Elizabeth Benassi, who worked at Maximus UK Services, claimed she was unfairly targetted over her choice of footwear, even as colleagues wore similar shoes without repercussions.
Hired at just 18 years old, Benassi joined the recruitment agency in 2022. However, her brief stint ended after a manager criticised her trainers, reportedly treating her “like a child.”
According to The Metro, Benassi told the tribunal she had been unaware of any formal dress code and argued that her dismissal was an act of victimisation.
The tribunal, held in Croydon, south London, sided with Benassi, saying that the company displayed a “desire to find fault” with the young employee.
Maximus UK Services, which provides services to the Department for Work and Pensions, employed Benassi for only three months before her dismissal.
During the hearing, it was revealed that most of her colleagues were in their twenties, with Benassi being the youngest employee. She claimed she was “micromanaged” because of her age and unfairly criticised for wearing trainers to the office.
Employment Judge Forwell, as reported by The Metro, highlighted the unfair treatment in her ruling: “No allowance was made for the fact that she was new and may not have been familiar with the dress code. It was therefore a clear unfairness and indicates a desire to find fault.”
This case raised important questions about workplace discrimination and the treatment of young employees. While Maximus UK Services denied any wrongdoing, the tribunal’s decision underscored the importance of fair and clear communication of policies in professional environments.