The head of communications at Queen's University in Belfast was accused todayof deliberately downplaying a job candidate's experience to prevent him gainingpromotion.
Mr Patrick McWilliams, who claims he was denied the post of publications managerat the university despite being the most qualified candidate, told a FairEmployment Tribunal that his boss Mr Tom Collins had been keen to mark him downduring selection.
He said: "Tom Collins deliberately played me down at all times byunderstating my experience and underscoring my presentation when he had acrucial role in setting the tone for the deliberations of the panel."
Mr McWilliams, who has worked at the university for 15 years, said he had beenresponsible for producing a range of publications including the 2001Undergraduate Prospectus.
The 39-year-old Catholic from Lurgan, County Armagh, claims he wasdiscriminated against because of his religion and gender. The job went to aProtestant woman in August 2000.
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He said that within days of the publications manager starting her new job, itwas clear she had little knowledge or experience of this field of work.
"It was only when the successful candidate came to Queen's I began wonderingwhat experience she brought to the post. Her lack of knowledge, especially inprint management, made me wonder how on earth she was appointed," he said.
"The consequences of this appointment were devastating to me personally interms of my confidence and morale. They have taken a huge blow."
Mr McWilliams accused the four-member selection panel, including Mr Collins,of not checking the details on his rival's application form.
He said that in detailing a previous job, she had described her duties as"publications/communications manager". But a reference supplied by thatemployer described her as an "information officer".
Mr McWilliams asked: "How did the interview panel fail to spot thecontradictions over the job detail and duties and responsibilities?
"The contradiction should have led to more detailed investigation of herapplication form. This didn't happen and disadvantaged my applicationenormously," he added.
Mr McWilliams also claimed he was much better qualified than the victoriouscandidate but received lower scores from the selection panel.
He had a first class degree plus a postgraduate diploma in computer science,while she had a second class degree and no post graduate qualifications, yet shehad received eight out of 10 from each of the panel, while he had received sevenout of 10.
"I am concerned that the panel didn't exercise sufficient care in allocatingmarks for educational qualifications," he added.
The tribunal was adjourned until tomorrow.
PA