Discrimination when applying for a job

[Sean7651]

Hello everybody.

Last year I applied for a position within my current company. Office person, non managerial level.
I was unsuccessful. The reason I was, because the person who was hired is a sister of the manager of that particular department. That is not the end of the story.
She was only working for a few months, as a packer/processor, when without any official job announcement, she was just taken to the office and started doing the job I applied for few months later. No wonder, that I was unsuccessful in the end.
It had been a common knowledge, before she was officially appointed to the position I applied for, that she will get it.
To top it all off, one of my interviewees, asked during the interview: "Will you be interested in any future positions in our department?" I think that said it all.
I haven't spoken to anybody in HR regarding that, as I assumed, it will not change anything. Also, I was just plainly afraid that managers will retaliate against my actions.
My question is, do I have the case? I feel cheated.
Do you know any good no win, no fee solicitors?
Aston solicitors in Northampton want a fee for a initial consultation. Tan Law in Coventry will not take it on no win, no fee basis.

[ULA]

From what you have said, unless you can prove discrimination on the basis of one of the protected characteristics (age, disability, gender reassignment
marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation) then you would not have a claim. However, I strongly suggest these would not be factors for an internal candidate. Unfortunately, this is not the first time I have heard/read about jobs being given to family members over other internal/external candidates.

The only other thing I can suggest is that you check if the company has a recruitment policy, albeit that will probaby say they will advertise all vacancies internally and if there is not an appropriate candidate they will then recruit externally. Which they have effectively done.

[atticus]

To top it all off, one of my interviewees, asked during the interview: "Will you be interested in any future positions in our department?" I think that said it all.

What is the "all" that you think that said?

[Sean7651]

From what you have said, unless you can prove discrimination on the basis of one of the protected characteristics (age, disability, gender reassignment
marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation) then you would not have a claim. However, I strongly suggest these would not be factors for an internal candidate. Unfortunately, this is not the first time I have heard/read about jobs being given to family members over other internal/external candidates.

The only other thing I can suggest is that you check if the company has a recruitment policy, albeit that will probaby say they will advertise all vacancies internally and if there is not an appropriate candidate they will then recruit externally. Which they have effectively done.

Hi Ula.
Thank you for a reply.
Small correction. They hired her internally. Initially she had been working manually as an order processor/packer. After two months she was taken to the office without any official job announcement. Worked there for a month ( I believe she during that time she was being prepared for that job I applied for as well) .In the end, she was a successful candidate for that officially announced office position.

[Sean7651]

What is the "all" that you think that said?

Hi Atticus. Thanks for a reply.
That I should not have bothered with applying, as the office managers, including sister of the newly hired, decided not in my favour.

[dslippy]

Nepotism may or may not have taken place. You may have good reason to suspect it, but you have not established it.
Even if you had, nepotism is not discrimination in law, and you have no claim.

[Sean7651]

Nepotism may or may not have taken place. You may have good reason to suspect it, but you have not established it.
Even if you had, nepotism is not discrimination in law, and you have no claim.

Hi. Thank you very much for a reply.