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Was this discrimination? Think I want to change professions.

3 replies

poshsinglemum · 31/05/2009 22:03

I was only at my last job for a month when I got pregnant. I was so but as it was unplanned.
I realised that my managers might be annoyed but I left my post feeling really wierd about the teaching profession and I am wondering if I can be arsed with it anymore.
Basically, my manager started going on at me about my performance as soon as they realised that I was pregnant. It was said that I was not reaching targets. I did try to take this on board and requested that he give me some structured targets instead of the usual directionless waffle. (Of course I didn't word it like this!)
So we had weekly meetings with about four substantial targets per week to achieve. If I didn't complete these targets he used it to suggest that I could not take advice on board. I was recieving a lot more work than the other NQT who was not pregnant.
At the same time, it was revealed that the students had started up a cyber bullying website about me on BEBO. One of the comments read ''We killed her baby with a rugby ball.''
Naturally I was distraught but my manager suggested they had started the website because my performance was not good. He also suggested that I should have not told the kids that I was pregnant. I walked out of that meeting in tears and made a complaint.
I really felt that the management weren't on my side and felt victimised.
The offenders were suspended but it was clear that the management wanted me to shut up. I wanted to go to the Police but management tried to gag me.
Mabe my hormones were to blame.
Anyway, I have decided that I cannot stand working with other people, the politics in the workplace are horrendous and I would liek to work from home.

Was it discrimination or am I using my pregnancy as an excuse for being crap?

OP posts:
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LupusinaLlamasuit · 31/05/2009 22:06

Dunno. But you could ring the EHRC helpline and ask them?

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LupusinaLlamasuit · 31/05/2009 22:07

Sorry - Equality and Human Rights Commission. Used to be called the Equal Opportunities Commission.

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sleepyeyes · 31/05/2009 22:18

Posh I'm ignorant of employment laws/rights but I would say it sounds like you were treated badly, they didn't want the parents/public finding out the type of students they had so they tried to sweep it away, they should have made a big show of supporting you from the beginning.

On a practical point Do you enjoy teaching? Would you feel differently if you worked at a different school?
If the answer is yes I would try to find a new job.

If your serious about being self employed then look at skills and qualifications that you already posses and find someway to make money from it.
Maybe tutoring?

One thing I would say is you need nerves of steel to be self employed (my DH is) as there are times when jobs/contracts can be few and far between. If you good with money and able to save then it's not so bad.

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