Tesco Stop DH's Management training 3 wks before he completes it due to his CHILDCARE COMMITMENTS!

[Toothache]

That says it all.
DH was due to finish 2 months ago, but they faffed around finding him a placement. The final part of the training is a 4 wks placement at another store. They had cut his to 3 wks due to them delaying getting organised!

He was training as a Section manager with a £7k payrise, but the only job they offered him was a Duty Managers position (1 step higher) 30miles away. he couldn't accpet that due to the fact he has to drop off and pick the kids up 2 days a week at 2 different childcarers..... looooooong and impossible story you may recall regarding my Mum letting us down.

So it was back to the original plan of being signed off the training as a Section Manager. However, they informed him today that his specifications are impossible and they will have to demote him back to Team Leader! Not only that they have already filled his Team Leaders Position so all they have left is Twilight shifts..... they KNOW DH can't do those..... so they are effectively dismissing him!

I am shocked and disgusted. he has phoned the Union who will be back in touch with him tomorrow. They have basically said that no one in Tesco that has regular weekly childcare committments (only 2 days out of 7 remember) can EVER become a Manager!!!!

Surely the Union will have a field day with this!? Can they do this????

DH has gone back in this evening to decline the offer ( as they knew he would) and request a transfer to a store nearer home... on part time hours as a General Assistant.

How can they wathc him go through 7mths training then do this at the last hurdle? They won't even let him finish his training so he can use the qualification elsewhere!

I really don't know how much more I can deal with our lives right now. Everything is going wrong. We go on holiday on Saturday and DH will be coming home to either NO job (if they won't transfer him) or a part time position and a massive demotion.

Help???

[Louise1980]

I hope to god they cant do that to him. Surely it has to be discrimination of some sort?

[Toothache]

I think so. Aren't labour Unions harping on just now that companies aren't allowed to discriminate against parents with Childcare committments??

They ahve even said they wouldn't be able to give him the same day off each week..... when he knows a Duty Manager that does! I am fuming and distraught.

[berolina]

That can't be OK. Check his contract - what are their obligations? Do they have anything approaching a 'family friendly policy' anywhere? Sue for constructive dismissal (if it comes to the worst)? What kind of stone age attitudes are those?

I can imagine the media being interested in this one too... let's hope for your dh that it doesn't come to that though - hope the union can do something.

[Louise1980]

Thats def discrimination! I thought tescos would be a more respectable place to work!

[Toothache]

I hope this opens peoples eyes to what a horrible, dirty, sneaky company they are!

It is constructive dismissal, isn't it? He has worked his balls off to complete that training. It has been a real problem in our marriage that I am the main breadwinner and everything is in his name. This was our way out of that.

They have stopped his training and stopped him leaving to use his training elsewhere.

[Toothache]

Oops... meant everything is in my name!

[Twiglett]

so nobody with regular childcare commitments can be a manager

oh I so hope you got that in writing because it is discrimination pure and simple

do not worry toothache if it is as you've posted then they can't get away with it and the union will help

[bubblerock]

Hi Toothache, sorry to hear you're going through this, I'm ex Tesco. The Union are usually pretty good from what I've seen although a lot of people I know just ended up leaving because they couldn't take the emotional stress.

I wouldn't touch management with a bargepole tbh, although I was able enough to do it I just wanted to go in, do my job and come home again. I saw so many section managers get shitted on!

Definately go to the union and tell DHtobe strong, It seems ridiculous that they've put the time into training him and that's wasted!

If it goes tits up apparantly Tesco trained managers are highly sought after by other supermarkets for some reason, I'm sure lesson number 1 in Tesco management is to learn to answer a question with " I appreciate....." and "however......." GRRRRRRR

[Toothache]

Thanks folks!

I will tell DH tonight to get it in writing from them. I just can't believe they are doing this.

Bubble - My Mum left in February too.... and one of DH's colleagues is leaving next week. He was a Duty Manager with the same day off every week.... but they told him they needed him to be more committed.... so he had to resign. He has 4 children and 11yrs service!


EVERYONE STOP SHOPPING IN TESCO!!!!!

[LIZS]

Sounds dodgy to me and defintiely worth getting union representation.

However there is often a requirement at management level in Retailing for mobility, either within a radius of home (either distance or travel time), within a specified regional area of the business or to be flexible about moving away to fill a suitable position further afield. If he is seen to be immobile it could jeopardise his career path, but this usually only applies at a more senior level, for example Store Manager or Deputy Store Manager. Do check the proposed contract and any conditions of the training scheme carefully as that might be their get out.

Good luck

[Toothache]

D'you know what the sickening thing is for DH.... now he's going to be on £6 per hour instead of £10..... we are BETTER OFF if he goes part time and we claim more tax credits!!!

But its DH's pride that is deeply effected.... and he already takes enough out on me and the kids. Tesco have a lot to answer for. I'm going to write to my local MP too...... he's Labour, and will be so thankful to be back in his seat that he'll sure to get involved!

[Toothache]

DH just got back from work and the store manager he went back to see about this left while he was downstairs getting ready to help out!!!

Shows you how interested they are.

I wasswaying between LibDem and Labour at this election, but just voted Labour as the MP here sorted out a 20wk scan for me last year when our local maternity unit closed. I'm going to write to him again adn see if he can help fight our corner.

[Toothache]

DH will be speaking to the Union today.... anyone got any advice?

[Kelly1978]

I think you really need to seek legal advice as I am sure what they are doing is illegal. I am sure they cannot discriminate on that basis under EC law.
Another approach might be under paternity rights, where your dp has the right to apply for flexible hours and Tesco must consider this. In your dp's situation his could ennable him to request hours which would fit in with his childcare arrangements.

[Kelly1978]

I just looked and it is against EC law...

'no discrimination whatsoever on grounds of sex either directly or indirectly by reference in particular to marital or family status. '

This applies to work and training access. Good luck with the union, Tescos should not be allowed to get away with this.

[Toothache]

Thanks Batters! I don't mind at all... advice is always welcomed!

I'm almost at breaking point, I really am.

[Kelly1978]

Toothache I know how you feel, we had problems recently with dp's hours when they suddenly wanted to put him on shifts. We made a flexible workign application and were successful - the new hours start next week, but things have been rather difficult since. They now see him as a troublemaker and want him out. Comapnies are supposed to consider parental duties now, but many are still reluctant to.

[MarsLady]

I can't add anything but do get your mp involved, the union and definitely see what can be done about constructive dismissal. Outrageous!

[tiptop]

Toothache - I've said it before on other threads and I'm sure I'll say it again....I suggest you contact your local Citizens Advice Bureau. Go on their website as well. Look on their section about discrimination and disciplinary actions. It's all in there. Book yourself an appointment with someone in CAB to discuss it. Take the info you have to hand. Prepare it as well as you can beforehand. Do this as well as contacting the union. One might suggest something the other doesn't. Hth. Good luck. Oh, look at the company's staff handbook if they have one, also. Every bit helps when you're dealing with something like this.

[sis]

toothache, I am so sorry not to have spotted this earlier (thanks, Batters for letting me know). Unfortunatly, I am on my way out but I will come back when I have a bit more time. In the meantime, how lonh has he been with Tesco's? I think it may be a good idea to try and contact other sources of help as well as the unions.

Tiptop's tip about the CAB is good but of course, CABs do vary in that some have specialist employment advisers and others don't. You could also see if there is a law centre in the local authority that you live in or your dh works in for free legal help. I would also contact the maternity alliance for any help/pointers that they may be able to give (although they are geared to help women, I am sure many women will have faced this situation and the maternity alliance will have helped them through it. their website is here .

The EOC may also have some help and advice they may be able to offer - it is not for women only.

At this stage it is important that your dh starts to write down what has happened in chronological order and to keep proper records of what happens from now onwards. You could contact Tesco head office and ask to speak to the person in charge of equality/diversity and ask for a copy of their equal opps policy.

[Toothache]

Thanks so much for this! It's all helping.

Sis - He has been with them 6 yrs come September.

[Toothache]

Update:
DH went in on Monday with the intention of telling the Store Manager that the proposal was ridiculous. He wanted them to give him the proper notice for changing his shifts to Twilight (2-11pm 5days a week)... which would be 4wks then a week for every year of service.... 9weeks in total. Then, whilst working his original shifts for that period he wanted to be transferred to our local store. His attitude being, if they are only going to pay him as a GA he might as well be in the local store saving on petrol!!!
The Store Manager avoided him. DH eventually caught up with him in the warehouse, but he wouldn't even go to the office with DH to discuss this. He made them stand in the warehouse with everyone walking past.
DH said "That proposal before I went on holiday was unacceptable and we need to discuss this"
Store Manager: "I know I know.... I had a think and I realise that. Lets wait until the Personnel Manager comes in and we'll try to reach a better solution".

Sounds promising eh??? NOPE! Now the personnel manager is off with the Shingles. DH is expected just to wait in total uncertainty until she comes back in!!!! He is there today to tell them that he will not wait until she comes in, there are other Personnel Managers and they are just taking the mickey expecting him to clean shelves (!!! thats what they had him doing on Wednesday) until they decide. They have given him NOTHING in writing, he doesn't even have written confirmation that he has been removed from Management Training.

None of the Managers in the store are speaking to him now. How awful. He is totally humiliated and now being ignored.

He has written down times and dates of all the conversations he's had with them. He has spoken to a Manager in the local store last night, who has told him that there is a job there for him as long as it doesn't have to go internally..... but he would have to drop back to a General Assistants salary.

What a mess.
We'll know more tomorrow when the Store Manager is in.... apparently he has every Thursday off!!! He has the same day off every week and that was one of the things DH had requested that they had said Managers aren't allowed to do!

My blood is boiling.... for all the trouble DH and I are having I still feel so sorry for him. I wish I could have a word with the Store Manager.

As part of DH's grievance he has a meeting with Personnel and the Store Manager, he's allowed to have a witness there. I've asked if I can go. I just have to keep my cool.

[fairydust]

so sorry to hear your dh is having to go thruogh all this crap - from having friends and familt working for tesco i've heard what shit's they can be

[Freckle]

If things don't work out, it sounds to me as though he may have a case for constructive dismissal.

Hope you get something positive out of all this.