Woman Overlooked For Teacher Job Because Male Rival Had Firm Handshake

Firm, gentle or limp, a mere handshake can say a lot about you. But ever thought it could hold you back from getting a job? Well, it seems so. Oxford-based Vanaja Greenwood, who holds a degree in math, can vouch for the same.

Apparently, Vanaja was overlooked for the role of a full-time math teacher at a $27585-a-year private Pinewood School in Bourton, near Oxford, owing to her gentle handshake, heard an Employment Tribunal at Bristol.

Vanaja lost out to fellow candidate Neil Crossley who is specialised in sports in an interview for the role. Headteacher Philip Hoyland noted Vanaja as “gentle” and Neil as “confident" as he had a strong and firm handshake.

In her complaint to the tribunal, Vanaja mentions how she felt “belittled” and claimed she lost out to Neil just because she was a woman.

Vanaja has now won her sex discrimination claims against the school following a five-day tribunal hearing before Employment Judge Oliver, P Simpson, H Launder.

Vanaja, who holds a degree in math, had previous teaching experience in the school in nursery, year one and year two when she applied for the job in 2019. Meanwhile, Neil has extensive coaching experience and worked as Director of Sport and Head of House at a school in Nairobi, Kenya.

"We know you would be an excellent math teacher...so there's no need for us to discuss that,” Headteacher Philip told her, as noted in the judgment.

However, after the interview, Vanaja was informed that the role was more about being a “big character”. The interview panel consisting of the headteacher and two others unanimously appointed Neil for his “charisma” and “dynamism’.

Vanaja had informed the headteacher that she has her own childcare commitments and will not be able to supervise the boarders in the evening. The previous math teacher at the school also served as the head of the boarding.

The tribunal found Vanaja’s claims of victimisation, harassment, direct and indirect sex discrimination as well-founded. This was based on the comments the headteacher made to Vanaja comparing her to male teachers at school.

The repeated phrases used by Philip like “complete school master,” “presence” and “charisma” in describing Neil were found as gender stereotyping by the tribunal.

The tribunal will set a remedy hearing at a later date to decide on any compensation owed to Vanaja.