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Original poster

Pregnancy discrimination? :(

32 replies

deanlings · 03/08/2023 22:48

Hello

So I think I've just been discriminated against because I'm pregnant and I don't know what to think... I'm really taken back.

A couple months ago I was talking to a founder who was happy with hiring me, and we were close to signing the contract but then her main customer dropped out. She said she'd get back in touch with me about the role again once they picked up a new lead. At this time she didn't know I was pregnant. This was totally understandable as she was hiring me based on her workload increasing however with a customer dropping out, I wasn't as urgent a hire.

Fast forward to a month ago and we have had each other on Instagram and exchanged a couple generic messages. I then announced I was pregnant on Instagram (not private message to her). She has since posted the same job she was going to sign me up for and so I messaged saying I was still interested and could we talk again, I was hoping we could sign the contract this time.

She replied saying "Would love to take you on but I am looking for someone long term and I know you’re pregnant, which is amazing". No open conversation about what we're both looking for, no questions, just an assumption that I simply can't work long term. Which is not the case at all. Am I right for being hurt and for having feelings of discrimination here? Most of our comms are over email and message so there's a real turn in her approach.

How do I process this as I really admired her business and was exited to hopefully work with her. I almost feel embarrassed and ashamed for being pregnant which is the total opposite of how I actually feel about having this baby. I've never felt so empowered being a mum to be and working hard on my side hustles to earn an income.

Would love some advice.

OP posts:
MichelleScarn · 03/08/2023 22:59

What's the job and how pregnant are you?
When you say 'side hustle' (hate that term!) Is that what you saw this role as?
Are you wanting this job or are you building a case?

TeaKitten · 03/08/2023 23:01

You say it’s not the case that you can’t work long term… are you not planning on taking maternity leave?

Luxell934 · 03/08/2023 23:26

What’s the job?

Was it your personal Instagram or your business one you announced on? Maybe you shouldn’t have announced your pregnancy on social media at all, not that there’s anything wrong with doing that but maybe it’s not something you’d want to announce on your business social media.

Bizjustgotreal · 04/08/2023 06:30

Yes. You have been discriminated against. She has told you plain and simple that you will not be chosen because you are pregnant. Do with that what you will.

yogasaurus · 04/08/2023 06:42

What are you hoping for? Advice on how to sue her for discrimination, or how to change her mind?

’side hustle’, conjures up images of some boss-babe pyramid scheme nonsense.

greenteaandmarshmallows · 04/08/2023 06:56

Is it an actual job or is it one of those mlm things

Caprisunny · 04/08/2023 07:02

There’s so many things here.

Whats the job? Or industry? Does this client need short term work around the time your pregnancy is due?

In real terms, yes she hasn’t picked you because you are pregnant. But it maybe short term work around the time you are pregnant.

And was this job always designed to be ‘a side hustle’. Does she know that?

Islamic32 · 05/08/2023 00:49

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Mangotango39 · 05/08/2023 03:59

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No. It is straight up discrimination.
Pregnancy is a protected Just like disability etc.

Minorities face lots of discrimination but they are not the only ones!

loopyloutoo · 05/08/2023 04:31

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Love when people make sweeping statements that are blatantly incorrect. Maybe have a little read of the Equality Act 2010.

Islamic32 · 05/08/2023 04:41

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lexilulu · 05/08/2023 04:50

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Explain how?

I take it you are not writing from the UK?

Islamic32 · 05/08/2023 04:52

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Islamic32 · 05/08/2023 04:53

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lexilulu · 05/08/2023 04:58

No, it's actually called the law. And if you have a look at the Equality Act 2010, you will see that amongst pregnancy/maternity, religious beliefs and ethnicity are also protected characteristics.
If you feel you have been discriminated against because of any of of the protected characteristics mentioned in this Act, you are legally protected in a work setting in the UK.
This law applies to the UK - not technically "European" though that's a separate and equally frustrating conversation in itself. They do have similar laws to protect such areas of society.
Given you are in Brighton, talking about European women having all the privileges I'm not sure what you're actually angling at.

Islamic32 · 05/08/2023 05:01

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lexilulu · 05/08/2023 05:04

"Islamic32" trolling Mumsnet in the middle of the night about their issues with women and Europeans. That's original. Why the hate? What happened to you? If you hate women and Europe so much, I'm not sure somewhere like Brighton is for you my dear.

Why are you even here? I see you trying to provoke other threads too.

Islamic32 · 05/08/2023 05:05

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lexilulu · 05/08/2023 05:06

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Sorry - is this not racism? Case and point?

Islamic32 · 05/08/2023 05:07

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lexilulu · 05/08/2023 05:09

Ah. I missed that part in the Equality Act where you can pick and choose who to discriminate on depending on their ethnicity or religion. My bad. Must do better.
Anyway - toddle on - I'm off to bed now my baby is asleep and I'll check my privileges in the morning. I wish you a good day. Maybe try to find something more fulfilling than trolling strangers on the internet. And I don't even mean me, I mean poor ladies looking for help on TTC and you berating them for their life choices. Get a life my friend. Confused

Magicmichelle · 05/08/2023 05:12

@Islamic32 you don't even know the ethnicity of the OP? You're the racist one - making assumptions about people and being derogatory about people of European origin.

YoBeaches · 05/08/2023 05:14

Yes you have been discriminated against because you are pregnant.

But what outcome are you looking for?

lexilulu · 05/08/2023 05:14

Magicmichelle · 05/08/2023 05:12

@Islamic32 you don't even know the ethnicity of the OP? You're the racist one - making assumptions about people and being derogatory about people of European origin.

Clearly a troll account trying to provoke people on here. They're sticking their nose in on a separate thread about PCOS and have somehow linked that to "privilege". Goodness knows how. Must be their word of the day.
Anyway I have reported their offensive tweets.

WomanHereHear · 05/08/2023 05:16

@Islamic32 not very Islamic of you