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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
World
Doug Bolton

Swedish filmmakers expose homophobic discrimination in work

The video suggests that Olle was denied the job because he said he was gay (STHLM Panda/Youtube (screenshot))

It can be difficult to prove incidents of discrimination in the hiring process, but two Swedish filmmakers have tried to with an undercover video.

YouTube stars Konrad and Olle, who run the STHLM Panda YouTube channel, created the video after hearing from a fan who claimed he had been fired from his job because his boss found out he was gay.

In an effort to find out more, the pair applied for jobs at the same company. Both got interviews, which were filmed using undercover cameras - with the interviewer's face and voice obscured, and the name of the company hidden.

Konrad attended the interview, and tried to come across as badly as possible - he admitted that he had little work experience, said he spends most of his time playing Fifa, and generally acted aloof and disinterested throughout the interview.

On the other hand, Olle seemed like the star candidate - he said he had two years of relevant experience, showed enthusiasm for the job, and had the a truck license necessary for the job.

The interviewer seems to like Olle, and even asks him what salary he expects and when he could start.

However, he changes his tune completely when Ollie says he's looking for a similar salary to his old job, becuse he just bought a flat with his boyfriend.

GettyImages-453076660 (1).jpg Former Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt attends Stockholm Pride 2014. Sweden has a reputation as a tolerant nation, but the video suggests homophobia at work still exists The interviewer then quickly tells him "there's a lot of people who applied for this job", before showing him the door and refusing to shake his hand.

The video then cuts to after the interview, with Konrad, the lazy video gamer, getting a call saying he got the job.

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It's not direct proof, but the video has to be seen to be believed - it certainly seems as though Olle, by far the more qualified of the two, is immediately discounted from the role after the interviewer finds out he is gay.

Sweden has a reputation as a liberal and tolerant nation, and most Western countries have laws against discrimination in the workplace - but with their video, Konrad and Olle hope to spread more awareness of the issues that can face gay people at work.

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