One of my work colleagues recently went for a job within the hospital but in another directorate. She is currently part time but is wanting full time work having had a baby over a year ago. She had an interview and went for the interview but unfortunately didnt get the job. This was fine etc and she moved on.

Soon after she found out that one of the other secretaries had told the person interviewing that this particular secretary that she only wanted the job because it was full time and that she was actively trying for another child (insinuating that she only wanted full time employment for the full maternity pay - which is not the case).

Now because she told her this information before the interview it could be classed as influential evidence but is there anything that can be done about it? My colleague realises that shes not going to get the job now and she is okay with that but shes not happy with the fact that people with a personal grudge can be allowed to 'tittle tattle' like this.

What do you think?

I would get her to contact HR and lodge a formal complaint :)

To be honest it was up to the interviewer to ask her if it were true and perhaps your friend should contact this person to see if this was said and if so if it did influence the final decision, then perhaps there may be a case to answer.

You have to be careful as.......

Soon after she found out that one of the other secretaries had told the person interviewing that this particular secretary that she only wanted the job because it was full time and that she was actively trying for another child (insinuating that she only wanted full time......  

Did this come from that particular secretaries mouth directly to her ears or was this chinese whispers which got back to her, you have to be very careful with hearsay, if she did not hear it herself from the woman concerned, and if the person who interviewed will not disclose any information given, there is no case to answer I'm afraid.