Fired After Seconds on New Job – Files Complaint with Equality Ombudsman

A person who was about to start their first day of work at a healthcare provider in Stockholm County claims that their employment was terminated after a phone call lasting only 47 seconds. The incident has now been reported to the Equality Ombudsman (DO), with the individual arguing that the dismissal may constitute discrimination.

According to the DO complaint, the new employee arrived at the workplace well in advance to change clothes before their shift. However, they reportedly could not find the changing room and say no one responded when they asked for help.

The situation, according to Mitt i, led to a surge of anxiety, at which point the individual stepped out into the stairwell to collect themselves and simultaneously sent a text message to their manager with an explanation and an apology.

Shortly afterward, the manager called. According to the report, the new employee was told that the employer could not keep someone they could not rely on to show up for shifts. The person reportedly asked for five minutes to recover, but was instead told the employment was terminated. The phone call is said to have lasted 47 seconds.

The complainant further states that the employer had already been informed during the job interview that new situations could sometimes trigger stress and anxiety, requiring a few minutes to recover. According to the complaint, the manager had replied that this would not be a problem.

Equality Ombudsman Lars Arrhenius. Photo: Stina Gränfors

DO Investigating

At the time of the complaint, the individual had not yet received any written notice of termination. The employer, who among other things operates nursing homes in the Stockholm area, declined to comment on the specific personnel matter but stated in a written response that they take issues concerning discrimination and work environment seriously, and that such cases are handled in accordance with current legislation and internal procedures.

The Equality Ombudsman will now assess whether the complaint should be further investigated and whether the circumstances might indicate a violation of anti-discrimination legislation.