Job applicant sues Hämeenlinna for 50,000 euros over alleged discrimination
Friday 28th August 2026 on 08:15 in
Finland
A job applicant who was not selected as a building inspector is seeking 50,000 euros from the City of Hämeenlinna, claiming discrimination during the recruitment process, Yle reports. The city denies the claim.
The case, based on Finland’s Equality Act, is pending before the Kanta-Häme District Court. The claimant says they were more qualified than the person selected and would have been appointed without discrimination based on gender and ethnic background.
The claimant is seeking 50,000 euros in compensation as the primary demand, or 21,800 euros as an alternative.
Nineteen people applied for the building inspector position, and the city says 14 met the eligibility requirements. The recruitment was conducted anonymously, and the six applicants considered most qualified were invited to interviews.
The claimant was invited to an interview but did not advance to the next stage. According to the city, the candidates invited to that stage were those whose qualifications were considered to best match the requirements of the position and who could be considered for appointment.
The city says that greater educational qualifications or longer work experience alone do not establish that an applicant was the most qualified for the position.
The claimant has also referred to Finland’s Whistleblower Protection Act. The city says the claimant submitted a request for information before the recruitment process in connection with an article they were preparing.
According to the claimant, the article might have placed the building control authority in an embarrassing position, leading them to suspect that they had been subjected to retaliation.
The city rejects these allegations as unfounded and says the request for information had no effect on the recruitment.
The City of Hämeenlinna is seeking to have the case dismissed in its entirety. The city’s response will be considered by the city board, which is scheduled to decide on the matter next Monday.