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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

DH boss' comments about me

63 replies

lividlil · 26/04/2016 18:30

I have a disability and I'm a wheelchair user. DH handed his notice at work yesterday in order to start his own business and his boss said to him that they thought it was wrong DH hasn't disclosed my disability to them when he started there. Just for some background he has been there three years and probably had 2 days off in that time to care for me - on his return from those 2 days off his boss said to a new starting employee, 'Oh we are very family friendly here. Mr Lividlil has had to have some time off lately due to problems with his wife.'
I'm SO angry about it as I know he is in breach of the equalities act and I feel so upset that I don't have a right yo reply to his comment. DH doesn't want to say anything as he has to work for him for his notice period but would I be unreasonable to pursue this in some way further? And if I do how would I do it?!

OP posts:
BillSykesDog · 26/04/2016 19:22

I completely understand why you want to confront him. And yes, short term you will benefit by feeling a bit better, but what long term benefit would it give you balanced against the problems it might cause you?

Look at it this way, he's doing it for one of two reasons. Either he's trying to antagonise your husband because he's piqued about him leaving and is trying to get a reaction which will allow him to pass on a poor reference.

Or the alternative is that he genuinely holds these views. In which case he's a dick. But he doesn't sound like the sort of dick who will have an epiphany because you give him a dressing down. More likely it would just entrench his views that people with disabled family members are entitled, difficult arses who make life tough for poor put upon businessmen like him. And again, could give a poor reference.

Either way, the only benefit will you be feeling better short term. But long term, you won't change this man, you won't change the way he operates his business, he won't stop being a dick.

But you may well harm your husband's career prospects long term in a way which can only be rectified by traumatic, expensive, drawn out legal action which would be hard to win (and may potentially damage his prospects even further). It's just not worth it. Sad but true.

lividlil · 26/04/2016 19:41

I'm arguing with DH now as I'm upset he didn't say anything. Why should I be 'disclosed' disability is not a criminal record!

OP posts:
curren · 26/04/2016 19:46

He didn't say anything as it could risk your families future.

You should be able to say something. But that's not how real life works. This bloke is a tosser. If he is shitty over your dh leaving, he will be shittier if dh confronts him.

Then dh doesn't have a job and he business could fail.

Don't fall out with your dh over this. The man is a dick. Don't let him have this power over you.

allegretto · 26/04/2016 19:51

I agree with Curren - he probably thought it was better for all of you not to say anything. Sad thing is, he was probably right. I can see why you're annoyed though.

Cloudstasteofmash · 26/04/2016 19:51

He is a proper twat.

But I think in the best intrests of your Dh and future your going to just have to take it in the chin and hope karma gets him back.

Dh has still got to work there and if this dick head can cause trouble for your new buisness he probally will.

I hate situations like this. Honestly I have lay in bed at night and plotted people's deaths - but you have to let it go. Flowers

LonnyVonnyWilsonFrickett · 26/04/2016 19:56

Obviously the man is a dick. That goes without saying.

But he hasn't actually discriminated against DH. You can't report someone for fly-away comments (even if they're awful, even if they give an insight to someone who has a truly disgusting attitude) you can only actually report them for actual discrimination. One snotty comment, however hurtful, isn't discrimination.

Your DH is leaving, chalk it up and move on.

Although I do like the idea of signing him up for some equalities emails!

Skittlesss · 26/04/2016 19:59

I'd just leave it as at least then your hubby will get a good reference.

Part of me did wonder whether he said that in a "so we could have helped you way" but after reading more I don't think he did.

BlueFolly · 26/04/2016 20:09

I don't get what law this guy has broken?

lividlil · 26/04/2016 20:12

@bluefolly A small piece of legislation called The Equalities Act. He wouldn't have been expected to disclose a non disabled wife therefore has treated DH differently from other employees. Also Carers now have that own rights under this act meaning his boss shouldn't be discussing time off needed with other employees.

OP posts:
lividlil · 26/04/2016 20:13

Their own rights

OP posts:
Ditsy4 · 26/04/2016 20:40

I think I would just send him a copy.
Sorry this has happened. I would be upset too. Perhaps DH just. Wants to get through the time without any unpleasantness. I think you probably feel a bit let down by DH not fighting your corner.

UpsiLondoes · 26/04/2016 20:48

I don't quite understand why your husband didn't clarify with "why?" As it stands, that comment could also mean... Because we are a family friendly company and I wish you told us you were also caring for your wife so that I gave you leeway with flexible working hours, etc. If he has been known to call his company "family-friendly" then could he not could claim that's all he meant by that?

lividlil · 26/04/2016 20:50

@Ditsy I do I think. I've been crying this evening because I fight so hard to be 'normal' and something like this shows that other people don't always view me as that.

OP posts:
lividlil · 26/04/2016 20:55

@upsi He used it in a discussion about DH 'hoodwinking' him in to giving him the job. He's been there 3 years it's hardly like he's been in the job two months.
He works crazy hours and earns no overtime or time off in lieu so he is better off out of there.

OP posts:
UpsiLondoes · 26/04/2016 21:37

Ah I see. Sad He sounds like a small, desperate little man chubby little loser

Littlelondoner · 26/04/2016 21:42

Are you sure it was not misinterperated. If they are a family friendly company as you said. Are you perhaps sure that DH didn't mention having to help you with something or they questioned his days off;& his boss was saying it in a more ahh you should have disclosed it. Meaning in a we could have been more accomodating way. Has DH said to them why he is leaving? Perhaps they think it is to help you out more so are meaning it in a it may not have had to have got this far way.

I don't know maybe I am totally off the ball. But would someone seriously be that much of an arse. I hope not. 😊

ToomuchChocolatemeansBootcamp · 26/04/2016 21:54

Having a relative who is also a wheelchair user, I can confirm to littlelondoner and anyone else who is wondering that yes, sadly, he could very well be that much of an arse and possibly a lot worse. There are a remarkably high number of people who are utter fuckwit arses when it comes to disability.
Luckily my relative is also pretty forthright like the OP but the daily gauntlet of looks, comments and whispers sometimes makes me feel like we are still in the Stone Age.

BlueFolly · 26/04/2016 22:20

But he didn't have to disclose it, so the act wouldn't be relevant here surely?

So you're looking at some kind of legal redress for the fact that he told your DHs co workers that your DH had time off to care for you?

I'm sure the bloke's an arse, but I don't think that's proportional.

BillSykesDog · 26/04/2016 23:05

I know it feels awful livid, but people like that; I doubt this actually has anything to do with how this man sees you or your disability or your husband's role in assisting you.

When it boils down to it, it's just because the guys a dick. He's angry because your husband doesn't want to work for his shitty company anymore and is lashing out. He has chosen what he knows will probably be the most hurtful, nasty distressing topic because he is trying to upset your husband and upset you so he's going for the sore spot. Probably because he knows how much of an effort you have both made to your own detriment not to affect his work.

Believe me, if the person this was happening to wasn't married to someone with a disability it would be something else. Their children, their parents, their personal life, their habits. But whatever would hurt the most. .

Don't let him get to you. That's what he wants. He will be out of your life for good then. A piddling insignificant loser of a tinpot company that can't hang on to staff. Just view him with the contempt he and his views and actions deserve. Don't give him the satisfaction of upsetting you.

woollytights · 26/04/2016 23:08

How has he broken the equality act? He didn't know your husband was a carer so had no reason to think that it would apply to him?

AlleyCatandRastaMouse · 26/04/2016 23:13

Leave it and think evil thoughts about him whenever you pass him including dismissive and dirty looks. I do the same with the woman at DS' preschool who throws evil looks at him because he has ASD. Not worth another seconds thought after that, the serious scum of the earth.

SilverBirchWithout · 26/04/2016 23:43

If it's a relatively small community where you live, I would certainly enjoy telling the biggest gossips I know what a bigoted man this boss is and over a period of months pass on as many unattributable anecdotes you can.

Revenge is a dish best served cold. Bide your time and choose your opportunities.

Janecc · 26/04/2016 23:46

I've had a fair amount of counselling and have learnt to focus on the things, that I can change. The only thing in this situation, which you can, is your feelings about dhs boss and what was said. If you get to a point, where his opinions are as irrelevant as he is himself, what he said can't hurt you because you simply won't care iyswim. Unfortunately, that will not help the next person his boss comes across and in cases such as these, karma often prevails.

funniestWins · 27/04/2016 02:12

It seems like the boss was unprofessional but he certainly didn't say that your husband wouldn't have been employed hadhe told them about your disabilities when he was interviewed.

"Oh we are very family friendly here. Mr Lividlil has had to have some time off lately due to problems with his wife."

Suggests he was happy for your husband to take time off.

What aspect of the equalities actdo you think has been broken?

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