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Original poster

Sacked for being a mum!!

53 replies

Blondebutnotlegally · 23/07/2023 21:38

I've been working at a very small law firm for the last 2 months. Still in probation period. I've just been sacked as they think my home life will prevent me from undertaking the notoriously difficult exams.... I've been doing great at the work, as told by manager, but the main boss clearly doesn't like the baggage of me having kids (I'm the first person with children they have ever hired) and sacked me, via email, TODAY on a bloody Sunday! Told me not to even bother coming in tomorrow! Nothing I can even do about it as I was in my probation period! So upset as this was my dream career and I was so lucky to get a training contract. They didn't even pretend it was to do with my work, they just said in their experience I won't be able to complete it due to "flexibilities" I may need in the future. Just venting. Arseholes.

OP posts:
CantFindTheBeat · 23/07/2023 21:40

I'm sure someone with legal knowledge will be along soon, but I just wanted to say screenshot the email asap in case they recall it.

That's good evidence of discrimination.

orangeleavesinautumn · 23/07/2023 21:40

Are you in a union? Can you get legal advise? I am sure you don't want to go back there, but you might be able to get some sort of compensation, and move on and find another position

AliceForSupper · 23/07/2023 21:41

I'm sure someone with more experience will come along to give you advice, but as far as I am aware discrimination protections do apply in probation?

Peekingovertheparapet · 23/07/2023 21:42

Surely that’s illegal? The fact that they’ve referenced why and they would be unlikely to do it to a man with kids.

HVPRN · 23/07/2023 21:42

OMG that can't be a real email, that's awful!

neverwakeasleepingbaby · 23/07/2023 21:46

So sorry to hear this, that's awful! See if Pregnant Then Screwed can give you any advice

ChateauMargaux · 23/07/2023 21:47

Years ago I trained as an accountant with a woman who had children.. she didn't tell anyone at work for a long time.

Motheranddaughter · 23/07/2023 21:47

You should take legal advice as that sounds like discrimination

Tare · 23/07/2023 21:49

Err I hope you will be doing more than just venting. That is outrighr direct discrimination and it is unlawful. I'd recommend starting by contacting a solicitor or ACAS for pre claim conciliation. Good luck and sorry this has happened to you.

Runningonempty01 · 23/07/2023 21:50

They are not much of a law firm if they can be so stupidly blatant in their discrimination.

Exibstudent · 23/07/2023 21:51

That's absolutely rubbish of them.
There are protections if you are on an official training contract from the sra, but from what you are saying it sounds like you might be a paralegal?
Also you are protected from sex discrimination before 2 years.

Doggymummar · 23/07/2023 21:51

I would turn up tomorrow as if I hadn't seen it and let them tell me to my 😈

FatAgainItsLettuceTime · 23/07/2023 21:53

It's unfair dismissal - www.acas.org.uk/dismissals/unfair-dismissal

Indirect discrimination on the basis of Sex which is a protected characteristic www.equalityhumanrights.com/en/advice-and-guidance/sex-discrimination

Have they actually said in the email that it's because you are a parent and therefore can't show flexibility? Are any of the men working there parents?

Original poster
Blondebutnotlegally · 23/07/2023 21:57

They reference wanting to have accommodated my "arrangement" (slightly shorter working day but still 5 days a week, which THEY suggested to have a better balance) but in their experience of training they have come to the conclusion i will struggle. Alongside multiple comments from management about how if they would have known I had children they wouldn't have hired me, the reason is blatant. Apart from the email which I guess could be ambiguous if you didn't know what they meant, it's my word against theirs.

OP posts:
Bromptotoo · 23/07/2023 21:57

It's difficult to believe a law firm would engage in something which is so clearly direct and indirect discrimination. But then again I worked with law firms large and small down the years and some were unbelievably stupid and incompetent...

Unless there are further truths lurking about performance or conduct I think you could take them to the cleaners.

SomethingAboutNothing · 23/07/2023 22:00

You absolutely need to get in contact with Pregnant Then Screwed, they are a charity who can help you deal with exactly this sort of situation. Sorry this happened to you 😞

Original poster
Blondebutnotlegally · 23/07/2023 22:01

Bromptotoo · 23/07/2023 21:57

It's difficult to believe a law firm would engage in something which is so clearly direct and indirect discrimination. But then again I worked with law firms large and small down the years and some were unbelievably stupid and incompetent...

Unless there are further truths lurking about performance or conduct I think you could take them to the cleaners.

None at all. I was told on Wednesday how impressed the man who was mentoring me was as I was progressing really well. A few days later I'm fired... nothing happened between then and now. No sick days, no late days, nothing. I think they were just worried about future baggage.

OP posts:
User6424678852 · 23/07/2023 22:04

multiple comments from management about how if they would have known I had children they wouldn't have hired me

Do you have any of these comments in an email? Even if indirect. If so, take screenshots or pictures of the screen with your phone now. Don’t wait even until tomorrow because it is likely they will revoke your access quickly.

SubParbanMum · 23/07/2023 22:08

Submit a DSAR to them.. if they’ve said it to you in person. You can almost guarantee they’ve been an idiot and put it in writing to someone else.

FirstFallopians · 23/07/2023 22:09

My mum worked for a very well-respected local law firm and got made redundant. They fucked up the redundancy process and mum took it further with my sister and DH’s help.

She ended up settling the day before the tribunal was due to be heard.

I think a lot of those firms believe their own hype and think the fact they’re a law firm will mean that staff think they’ve followed the law, we’ll actually they’re changing their arm.

RunAwayTurnAwayRunAwayTurnAway · 23/07/2023 22:38

Which area of law do you/the firm specialise in?

I am wanting to believe it is a test to see how coherent and appropriately belligerent your response to the communication is. Can you respond citing laws around employment and protected characteristics advocating for yourself? Don't shrug and accept this, fight for it if you want it. Just don't beg or get emotional/personal.

determinedtomakethiswork · 23/07/2023 22:53

If I were you, I'd get this thread pulled. The last thing you need is for it to be in the papers. Pregnant and screwed, will help as others have said.

Deathbyfluffy · 24/07/2023 00:10

FatAgainItsLettuceTime · 23/07/2023 21:53

It's unfair dismissal - www.acas.org.uk/dismissals/unfair-dismissal

Indirect discrimination on the basis of Sex which is a protected characteristic www.equalityhumanrights.com/en/advice-and-guidance/sex-discrimination

Have they actually said in the email that it's because you are a parent and therefore can't show flexibility? Are any of the men working there parents?

Your basis wouldn’t work - a man could easily be in this position too, and contrary to popular belief it does happen.

prh47bridge · 24/07/2023 00:31

Ignore the unfair dismissal. You can't take action for that until you have worked there for two years. However, you can take action for discrimination. On the information you have posted, it sounds like you have a good case.

MrsElijahMikaelson1 · 24/07/2023 00:39

I’d be tempted to go in tomorrow pretending I hadn’t looked at my work emails over the weekend and see if they say it to your face…I would then be asking whether they truly meant that they were withdrawing the post simply because I had a family because all of your performance management meetings had gone well.

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