Jobseeker complains that Boots called this outfit inappropriate ... but seems to forget about her nose ring!
AFTER landing a series of jobs in retail, Rosie Reilly knew to dress to impress when applying for a new position.
But her high-collared spotted blouse, dark knee-length skirt and black stockings was apparently not conservative enough for Boots.
The 26-year-old turned up at one of the chemist’s stores hoping to get work as a full-time sales assistant – only to be told she was dressed ‘inappropriately’.
Miss Reilly, who has a ring in her nose and admits to an unusual hairstyle, said: ‘I always check what to wear and explain about my hair and piercings.
‘Boots told me to dress smart casual and that’s what I did. The interviewer said she did like my style but it wasn’t appropriate for Boots.
‘When you’re unemployed you’re already not feeling 100 per cent and something like this can really knock your confidence. She didn’t really seem interested in my experience.’
Frustrated at her treatment, she used Twitter to share what had happened, writing: ‘I wasn’t allowed to continue with my interview today because I wasn’t dressed “conservatively enough”. I thought I looked nice!’
One supporter tweeted: ‘Seems ridiculous, you look attractive and smartly dressed.’ Another said: ‘Making a decision on a candidate for a position should be based on their skills and knowledge, not on how they look.’
Miss Reilly has worked at Debenhams, River Island, Topshop, BHS and Lush. She applied to Boots in Richmond, south-west London, and had planned to move to there to live with her girlfriend.
She had a chat with a member of staff for the first part of the interview on Monday but was told her clothing wasn’t appropriate for the second stage, a trial on the shop floor.
She has two small tattoos on her forearms which she says are usually covered by her sleeves.
The interviewer suggested she could come back on another day when she was ‘dressed appropriately’ but she decided against taking up the offer.
‘It was embarrassing to be honest. I was a bit flustered,’ she said. ‘I really wasn’t happy with it. It made me feel bad about how I looked.’
Various employers have been exposed for making comments about job applicants. TGI Fridays faced a backlash after an 18-year-old was asked: ‘Would you rather watch your parents have sex for a year or join in?’
Another teenager learned she had failed to get a job at a steakhouse in Lincolnshire when she received a text saying: ‘It’s a no’ and describing her interview answers as ‘basic’.
A Boots spokesman said: ‘We’re disappointed to hear about the candidate’s experience in her interview and are investigating the matter further.’