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A Tauranga woman who claims a restaurant chain told her she could not be employed because she has a moko on her chin has had her case taken up by the Human Rights Commission.
Elsie Hapai Hake of Greerton said staff at Wendy's in Gate Pa told her she had no chance of a job as a kitchen hand "because of that thing on your face".
Wendy's later apologised to Ms Hake, 26, through the Bay of Plenty Times and said its employees had been over-zealous in the interpretation of the company policy in the job interview. However, when asked what the policy was, Wendy's said it did not have one.
Solo mother Ms Hake, who has a 10-year-old daughter, turned down the offer of a second job interview at Wendy's and contacted the Human Rights Commission for advice as she believed she had been discriminated against.
Her case was taken up by the commission and mediation talks were held last month between Wendy's, a commission representative and Ms Hake.
Ms Hake hoped "something positive" would happen and further talks were expected.
The commission has mediated in the past over discrimination complaints. Financial settlements have been made, though the commission itself does not have the power to take legal action.
Ms Hake moved to Tauranga from Ruatoki three months ago as she believed there were better job opportunities there. She worked at North Island Mussel Processing but found it difficult to get a reliable babysitter and had hoped the job at Wendy's would mean she could work day shifts.
Having given up her job at the mussel factory, Ms Hake has been unable to find work and said she was considering returning to her family home in Ruatoki.
Human Rights Commission spokesman Gilbert Wong said the mediation process was about bringing parties together and outlining the obligations employers had with regard to the Human Rights Act.
He said a key part of the mediation process would have been to determine the prominence of Ms Hake's moko.
"While some understandings have been agreed, the matter is not finished. That is all we can say at this stage."
Wendy's did not comment.
- BAY OF PLENTY TIMES
