Firm Hit Over Partner’s Hiring Question: How Can We Identify New Mom’s Commitment?
A former partner says the U.K. law firm Eversheds was neither swift nor decisive after a colleague questioned the commitment of a job candidate, a new mother.
In fact, says former partner Stewart Shackleton, Eversheds went so far as to make inquiries with the woman’s present employer without her consent—while no inquiries were made of male candidates, the Lawyer reports. The London Evening Standard also had the story.
The controversial e-mail was written by litigation partner Stuart Dutson and sent to his department head, according to the stories. “This lady has recently had a child,” Dutson wrote . “Are there any guidelines on how we can ask questions properly designed to identify her commitment, hours she is prepared to do, how she will balance work and a child?”
According to a later e-mail, Shackleton refused to participate in interviews with the woman because of his view that her position was “already compromised,” the Lawyer story says.
Shackleton told the Evening Standard it is inaccurate for Eversheds to claim it dealt with the e-mail “swiftly and decisively.” The law firm has said the job applicant experienced no discrimination, and Dutson attended a training course after the incident.
Shackleton resigned Jan. 26, shortly before the initial story about the e-mail. He denies he leaked the e-mail to the press.
The law firm issued a statement reacting to Shackleton’s accusations. “We have presented all facts accurately and any assertions by Mr. Shackleton to the contrary are perplexing but a matter for him,” it said.
