BEING ‘too social’ is certainly a strange reason to be refused a job, but for one Hampshire man it is just one of a series of rejections he has received as he attempts to break into the caring profession. 

Bernie Lucker, who turned 65 years young last week, has been out of work since February but during the subsequent months has found starting a career in healthcare harder than expected.  

Bernie, from Andover, said: “I went to one care home who are advertising week in, week out for positions and got an application. I put down I've got 11 grandchildren and I’ve wiped enough bums in my lifetime, I know all about that.  I’m good with old people, I'm an ex publican. I'm a people person, so I thought it was a good profession to go into.” 

Unlike many application processes that just wither in the wind and are never to be heard from again, Bernie got a call from the care home with some candid information.  

“They called and the lady said, ‘I would love to give you a job but I can’t give you enough hours for a fulltime job.’ So I said that was a shame, but could you tell me why? She said, off the record, ‘because you’re the wrong gender.’” 

Pressing for further details Bernie was told that ‘old ladies don’t like men coming in and washing their bits and bobs.’ 

Unperturbed by blatant and unlawful sexism Bernie then got an interview with a charity supporting people with learning disabilities.  

“I thought it went swingingly well,” said Bernie, and was told he would hear back in a few days but the phone remained silent.  

Bernie took the initiative and called the employer, “I asked to speak to the lady who interviewed me and was told she was on holiday for three weeks.  So I asked to speak to the person who covers her role and was told there is no one as they are short staffed.”  

Bernie had to hurry up and wait only to learn that, once again, luck was not on his side.  

Bernie said: “Apparently after she got back she left the charity. So that was the end of that. I never heard anything else from them. I did call them again, asking 'what about my application? They said she hadn’t forwarded my information to them, so what are they to know? It’s just my bad luck.” 

Another possible employer contacted Bernie, this time to ask if he would go on a shadowing day with another carer; he jumped at the chance.  

“We went to  Whitchurch and met a lovely old boy, really nice. He just needed a little clean up and his pyjamas putting on.  While the carer was doing this I said, ‘alight mate, my names Bernie, he said ‘pleased to meet you.’ " 

“I've just noticed some military photos on your sideboard mate, Bernie continued. “Is that you in World War II?’ ‘No,’ he said, ‘it’s my dad in WWI.’” 

Bernie, a lover of history, talked at length with the man, learning his father had fought at the Somme and survived, the client himself was ex-military and bringing up memories the gentleman had long forgotten.  

Bernie said: “The carer had finished up so I said, ‘See you next time, nice to meet you mate.’ He beckoned me over and grabbed two of my fingers and said, ‘Will you come and see me again?’ 

“I'll tell you what I got goosebumps and said, ‘of course I will.’” 

Following three more visits that went as equally well, Bernie believed his chances of employment were high until yet another curious rejection.  

“I didn’t get the job, and do you know why? Because I wouldn’t make it against the clock because I am too social. I know if I am doing someone’s care and the next person needs medication at a certain time, I’m gone. I’d meet them, greet them and leave them in a nice way, that’s how I would do it.” 

According to homecare.co.uk there are 100,000 vacant care home jobs in the UK at any given time but despite his gregarious nature, a real desire to help, a lifetime working largely in the hospitality sector, and more energy than men half his age, Bernie feels there is one reason he hasn’t landed a job. 

“It’s knocked my confidence a bit but I’m a positive person, but I think, and it hasn’t been mentioned, that it’s agism. No one has said ‘your too old to do this job’ all they have said is you are the wrong sex and you’re too sociable to do this job,” said Bernie. 

Bernie has applied for several more carer  positions and just wants that one employer to give him a chance. 

“What I can't get my head around is it is an industry that is crying out for people that's always complaining about lack of staff and I’m here willing to give my time but keep getting the cold shoulder.

"I am a sociable person and have a deep respect for the elderly and get on great with the youngsters too. I won’t let it get me down,” he added.