It's important that I'm specific here. I work in a school and the headteacher told me that if I can't put a contingency plan in place that ensures my arriving to work on time even if my child is found to be ill and needs to see a doctor that morning, then I need to resign. My attendance record is good with the exception of 6 weeks to recover from a broken bone (mine). When my child was ill I took him to the gp, made alternative childcare as arrangements Nursery couldn't take him (contagious) and got in to work for that same afternoon. I have made arrangements for childcare next week until he is well again.
I can't say that it will never happen again and I think I've been reasonable in my actions.
Using anecdotes he explained that women have to make the decision to resign from work if they can't guarantee attending work despite child's unexpected illness.
I'm expecting him to begin picking fault with my work in an attempt to pressure me in to resigning. How can I demonstrate that those things he finds fault in are nothing more than a legal way to dismiss me since he knows using the real reason would be unacceptable.
Family is deceased so he knows this is difficult for me with little support but has said I should have thought about that before I made the decision to have a child. I've worked here for 13 years and want to continue to but I'm feeling devalued and helpless.
I really hope you can offer advice. I'm certain that he would not have said these things in public, but I also know that if I make a formal complaint I won't be able to continue to work here as others stronger than me have tried and failed.