I've namechanged, obviously. This is long, skim read it, you'll get the picture! In brief, my employer has discriminated against me on the basis of sex and pregnancy. Obviously I'm going to find a new job as I've had enough after the most recent incident, but is there anything I can actually do about this? Equality is assured in law and they're blatantly not abiding by it, what's the consequence and how do I make it happen?
If you can be bothered with the details, here are the main incidents:
- About 6 years ago, during a restructure, I expressed interest in a job I had a relevant degree for, and 3 years experience of doing that exact job. The response was "Don't you have to be a big bloke, errr, person to do that job? (Not a physical job, no reason it's a "bloke's" job at all). The boss also made comments about me being a mum and having "feelings"!
- I didn't get the job, it was given to a man with no relevant experience or qualifications. They could not explain why.
- I mentored and helped the man doing the job for a year. I was then offered the job senior to this man, but when I accepted, they would not give me equal pay to the man I replaced, no good reason was given, although mention was made that I hadn't done myself any favours by being pregnant. I was equally qualified and experienced as he was and did a better job (undisputed). It's local government so the job should have been a certain grade. Eventually I took out a grievance, appealed and won equal pay (backdated).
- 18 months ago, they put out a job advert aimed at permanently hiring an agency guy already working in the office. They included in the job advert a large part of my job without telling me (ie being the lead for X subject and all relevant duties - which is my job), but they told me I'd still be expected to do all my current work if this man got the job, which of course he did (nobody else applied, we all knew it was his job). This doesn't make sense, whose job is my job now, mine or his? Why are they advertising my job if they still want me to do it? The job was paid higher than mine.
- I'm now on maternity leave. While I've been off, a different man in the office has been given a promotion. The union rep asked why the job was not advertised at least internally. My manager told her (in writing) that this man was the only option for the job because I was off on maternity leave! I knew nothing about it until after he'd been given the job.