19 year old wins age discrimination case

Leanne Wilkinson was 18 years of age when she was dismissed from her job as an administrative assistant at an engineering firm in Newcastle-upon-Tyne. She said she had been told she was "too young for the job" and that the company needed "an older person with more experience".

An employment tribunal ruled in her favour and judged that she had been discriminated against on the grounds of age and was awarded £16,000 in compensation.

Craig McCracken, an employment lawyer at Nexus Solicitors, who acted on behalf of Ms Wilkinson, said: "There is often an assumption that age discrimination laws are only there to protect older workers, but this case is a reminder that everyone is entitled to be treated fairly, whether they're close to retirement or just starting out in work."