Jobseeker's rude rejection email called him an old, aesthetically challenged guy with no teeth

A jobseeker says his confidence has been shattered after receiving a "personal attack" following a meeting with an employer - describing him as an "an old, aesthetically challenged guy with no teeth". James Allen, aged 48, was left upset and angry after receiving an email from a director at Plympton-based Right Price PVCu who claimed he was "one of the most irritating, rude, obnoxious and arrogant people" she had ever had the "misfortune" to meet. Sarah Haseler, of Right Price PVCu, claims she vented her feelings in an email and then wrote Mr Allen a second email but sent him the first one in error, which she never intended him to see. The email Mr Allen received from Ms Haseler after he met her to discuss the possibility of working for the company contained three expletives. The former serviceman, who lives in Princetown, Devon, said he thought their meeting had gone well and that Ms Haseler had agreed to get in touch later that day.



He said when he heard nothing back he sent her an email saying: "Just a quick email to say that you promised to phone me today. You did not, I rang your mobile but you did not answer, I sent a text you did not answer. When you promise something you carry it through." In her reply, Ms Haseler described Mr Allen as "an old, aesthetically challenged guy with no teeth". She also wrote: "If I had been anything other than professional, I would have said what I was actually thinking, which was this guy is an absolute c*nt. Get the f*ck out." Her email added: "I only wish I'd have seen your CV beforehand, to save us both the time, as I would have probably noticed your main job role as 'professional prick'." Mr Allen, who is still looking for work, said he was left "really upset" and unable to sleep after receiving the email. "There's no way as a professional, and especially as a director of a company, that you would treat somebody that way. I really didn't expect something as nasty as that," he said.

"I was in the army for four years and you would sort it out face to face; you wouldn't do it like this. Nobody's ever given me a personal attack on the way I look – I was wearing a shirt and tie and wasn't wearing jeans or anything." Mr Allen said that his confidence had been knocked by the experience. "I'm a confident person normally but she has brought into question my face and my age," he said. "It's knocked my confidence. Just because I'm a man and I'm 48 doesn't mean that I can't get upset." In a statement, Ms Haseler said: "This was not an official interview for employment; we were looking for a self-employed labourer to help out, as and when, doing basic labouring, such as carrying materials and digging holes. James was so unbelievably rude, inappropriate and insulting, towards me personally and also the company, I actually thought it was a joke, and I was waiting for the hidden camera crew to jump out and say 'ha, got ya'. I was genuinely shocked, hurt and angered by his behaviour and attitude, and the things he said.



"We have worked very hard to build this family business up and when someone is insulting the business it does feel like they are hurting a member of your family. He was derogatory, belittling and offensive and I felt extremely uncomfortable the entire time he was there. When he left I politely said Thanks, I'll give you a ring to let you know'. That evening, a few hours later on the same day he came in, he sent an email, which was also rude, insulting and harassing. James had therefore rejected the self-employed role in this email, so he was not looking for feedback. He said he was not interested. Ironically I had read something that day which said if you are angry or upset you should write it down and get it all out to move on. So that evening at home I did this, I then wrote another email reply to James. Unfortunately, I now realise that it was in fact the other email which was sent in error, which was never supposed to be seen by him, it was just what I was thinking (and yes, considering all that I have stated above that was what I was thinking). I must stress this was my personal opinion, and not the opinion of the company, and the email written, although sent in error, was in retaliation to a person insulting me."