Posted By hsemrc I have recently applied, and been rejected, for H&S Manager posts at two construction companies who would regard themselves as “top 10 contractors”. For both my CV was good enough to get me an interview. I have the Nebosh general and construction certs and am studying for the diploma. I have a degree in Construction Management, am a Member of the Chartered Institute of Building and I am also a Chartered Environmentalist. I have worked as a Safety Advisor for the past 6 years on some of the largest and most high profile construction sites in the uk. However both rejected me for the same reason……..I am 27 years old. At the first interview my age was asked within the first 30 seconds, written at the top of the interviewers’ notepaper where he proceeded to draw a box around it for the next half an hour. The interview with the second company actually went very well, but again age was asked. The next day the recruitment agency phoned me and told me that the employer had thought that I was an excellent candidate and I had a great future in the industry. More blatantly this time I was then told directly that the employer felt he could not employ someone of my age in a senior position because of the image it would give to other employees and because of how older workers would react to somebody my age. I was told they would be appointing somebody who was older. I would have accepted a “we don’t think that you are right for this position” but the reason has made me very angry, especially because it is illegal. Does the age of an H&S manager matter if they are sufficiently experienced and qualified? Is it worth me pursuing a grievance procedure & further with these companies if it may damage the relationship with my current employer? Should I wait for 5 to 10 years until I have a few more grey hairs and a potbelly?

Posted By Ian G Hutchings Hi Decent companies will employ you on competence and merit. It sounds like they did you a favour by showing their colours and that they are not competent interviewers or managers. You were better off without them. Keep at it and good luck. Ian

Posted By Ghaam "More blatantly this time I was then told directly that the employer felt he could not employ someone of my age in a senior position because of the image it would give to other employees and because of how older workers would react to somebody my age. I was told they would be appointing somebody who was older" They are wrong! (stating the obvious really) I have been a, The Safety Guy, for around 7 years started at the age of 23 fully qualified by the age of 27 with a total of 12 years industry experience working on some major building projects all over the UK, including a rather famous landmark in north London. I now hold a reasonably senior position and have never had a problem gaining respect from the people i work with. You could take them to a tribunal, especially if you can get some of that nice feed back in writing, or you could ask yourself is that the kind of place you would have wanted to work in, somewhere that hold people back merely because of perceptions. My advice is just keep pugging away, keep you peck..(chin)...er up and don't let the boogers get you down

Posted By Wayne Harris I must admit it seems many organisations are still underestimating the major benefits of bringing in a young person into health and safety. From a personal point of view I try to keep a good balance within my team of different ages and experiences. Good Luck with the search, contact me if you need any pointers in the right direction.

Posted By Karel Simpson I am pelased to say that this is not always the case, I am 26 years of age been involved with safety for last 6-7 years been with current employer for 1 year and worked my way up to looking after a big chunk of area and borderline on a managers position (company structure does not allow change of title at moment!) I have my Gen Cert, CITB SMSTS and am currently undergoing my Diploma with a view to going on to MSc in HSE Management. I am taking up a new position next month working for a big company that has some of the biggest international clients around and will be the companies new Health and Safety Manager. So keep trying as there is some companies who do believe in the experience and qualifications. Best of luck Karel