'Too fat' to work?

Jamie Borthwick • Published 4 Nov 2009 16:00

CLAIMS that an unemployed teenager was left feeling he was "too fat" to work for a charity are being probed this week.

Six-foot-plus Steffen Bergene, 19, claims he is the victim of discrimination after being dropped from a work placement for a course aimed at getting people off benefits.

The Dalmuir man, who weighs 17-stone, said he was told he was "struggling" to cope with the physical demands of the job - which he denies.

Steffen had been working for Home From Home - a charity which supplies unwanted furniture to people in need - for three weeks, after volunteering for a three month course administered by The Tell Organisation.

Steffen also alleges it was suggested he was suffering from asthma - though he denies he has ever had the breathing condition.

He says the episode - rather than boost his self esteem - has left his confidence in tatters.

He told the Post: "They said they wanted to take me off the course because I was 'struggling with the line of work' and because of 'asthma' - which I've never even had.

"To me it was quite obvious they were suggesting I was too fat.

"It was a big shock.

"The job involves heavy lifting but I've done all that before when I used to help my mum take furniture up and down the three flights of stairs at the flat.

"It is definitely discrimination against me and all I wanted was to be able to finish the course up to January when it ends."

The Tell Organisation said it will investigate fully.

An insider at Home From Home told the Post that concerns were raised about Steffen's fitness and ability to do the jobs, but expressly denied that his weight had anything to do with it.

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This article appeared in Clydebank Post 04 Nov 09

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