County Durham woman says Toby Carvery interview axed due to disability

Victoria Clark from Kelloe says she was dismissed by Toby Carvery in Billingham after she attended the restaurant for a job interview on Thursday (August 22).

The 25-year-old, who lives with autism and hearing loss and partial sight, was joined by her job coach and managing director Heidi Smith of support service Learning Abilities CIC.

Victoria Clark, 25. (Image: VICTORIA CLARK)

Victoria exclusively told The Northern Echo: "I was looking on Indeed for a job and the Toby Carvery job came up. It looked like something I would love to do and would be good at.

"I applied, and received an email that I had been invited for an interview. I called Heidi who is my job coach and organised a time to go along on Thursday (August 22)."

However, Victoria claims that things quickly went downhill from there after the manager who was supposed to be interviewing her allegedly shut down the interview before it could begin.

Victoria added: "I got there, and was told to take a seat and wait. Myself and Heidi were waiting and chatting and then we were asked to come over.

"Heidi explained to my interviewer that she was my job coach and I just got an awful look. She stopped and said that she couldn't do the interview and it wouldn't be right for me because I have disabilities.

"They didn't even try to ask what my disabilities are, how they affect me and how it would work with the job. They just dismissed me straight away.

"At the time I felt quite angry but just kept my cool and stood there."

Victoria now believes she is owed an apology and wants Toby Carvery and other organisations to make job access easier for disabled people.

Full letter written by Heidi Smith to Toby Carvery. (Image: LEARNING ABILITIES CIC)

Following the experience, Victoria's job coach Heidi Smith has written an open letter to Toby Carvery.

The letter reads: "I was absolutely disgusted this morning when I took a client of mine to a job interview at your Billingham site.

"The blasé attitude to what was obviously disability discrimination. The job role was for a waiter at your site. Given Toby Carvery is a self-service business, this role would have involved clearing and cleaning tables, supporting customer inquiries and serving customers at the till point.

"All the things my client, Victoria, is more than capable of. The manager came over, without introducing herself, walked past and called for Victoria.

"As I proceeded to get up and follow, I was stopped by said manager and given a vacant look - awaiting an explanation. I explained I was a job coach and Victoria has disabilities.

"Without any further inquiries into what they are, how they would impact her role etc., I was told (Victoria being ignored entirely) that ‘if she has disabilities, this isn’t going to work’.

"The lady proceeded to tell me that it is a busy site and even ‘capable’ people struggle."

Heidi went on to tell The Northern Echo: "Victoria is one of our most determined clients - I know she has sent out hundreds of applications and is really wanting to find a job.

"She has been knocked back before, and she has been given opportunities which have been given away. But in this incident, she wasn't even given the chance to be interviewed purely because she has disabilities.

"At the time she took it with so much grace but it did knock her confidence. I could tell it had upset her and I've kept asking her if she is doing okay."

A spokesperson for Toby Carvery said: "We are proud of our record as an inclusive employer, and we know from our employee survey data that we support many employees with learning disabilities to have successful careers, clearly demonstrating our commitment to providing equal employment opportunities for all. 

"We cannot comment on this particular case other than to say we that have received a complaint and are taking the matter very seriously.

"We will fully investigate the concerns raised but is not helpful to do so in public and we will not be commenting further until we have explored the matter fully."