Discrimination

[akmum18]

Would it be considered discrimination if a manager allowed one colleague to ‘get away’ with a wrong doing but the other colleague to be disciplined?
Only asking as I feel my boss is has favorism towards my co worker and protects her regardless of what she does wrong. These wrongdoings are considered gross misconduct but are overlooked. I made one minor mistake in my work recently and was threatened to be sacked.
Issues have been reported to said manager who overlooks those and is ‘all mouth no sction’ as in says they will start further training for this co worker but months later no sign of training and the problem gets worse.
My pay has also been low and my boss has admitted to ‘forgetting’ to add on some hours, but never forgets co workers pay. I am still trying to get that money back.
I am miserable in my job that I spent years working hard on and enjoyed, now I dread coming in and have applied for new jobs. I feel pushed out and singled out every day. I’m not the type of person who wants to take people to court and take money, I just don’t think things like this should be allowed and I’m disappointed all my effort has gone to waste.
I would go to HR however many of these people are good friends with my boss and I worry I will be treated even worse and possibly given a bad reference.
How do I deal with this and what is my legal right for protection/action against these people while still employed here? Thank you

Discrimination on the basis of what? Do you feel you are being treated less favourably because of a protected characteristic, such as sex or ethnicity?

How long have you worked there?

Just purely on the fact this person gets treated better than any other co worker for no reason, they can do no wrong yet something minor would get a disciplinary for everyone else. Favorism is probably the right word more than discrimination it’s hard to explain without giving too much away ( boss is a member here) but if you unfairly discipline an employee for a minor mistake but let a huge serious mistake go undisciplined there has to be a problem with that? I have been here 4 years.

If you think that it is favouritism, rather than something like your sex, race, religion, disability, sexual orientation, (for example) then I doubt that you would be able to claim under discrimination legislation.

Favouritism in itself is not unlawful.

Not knowing enough about your situation it IS possible that you may have a claim for Equal Pay if you are doing the same work, or work of equal value, as the " favourite".

If you are having money held back, then you could take it up through the grievance procedure / see HR about it.

If you think that the manager is bullying or harassing you, then your workplace should have a procedure on this, and you should be able to take it up through HR.

Sacking you for raising a grievance would be potentially unfair dismissal. Making your life a misery, and causing you to leave through bullying, or because you raised a complaint, potentially could be seen as constructive dismissal.

Are you in a trades union?

You could raise a grievance on the basis of unfair treatment, or if disciplined, you could appeal the level of warning given on the basis it isn’t fair and consistent.

I would definitely do the second one if that happens, but honestly if you’re applying for new jobs anyway I’d probably not bother with a formal grievance in the circumstances you describe.

Thank you both, not part of a Union unfortunately. Sounds a bit silly when I read it back but it is a very depressing and stressful atmosphere to work in and the stubborn part of me doesn’t want to leave because of their actions, but I know I will just feel worse if I stay.

It sounds a horrible place to be akmum and it doesn't sound silly at all.
Wish I could beam you out of it.
Start having a look for another job if you can, look at it as digging an escape tunnel.

This happened in my job, one person got away with so much, it was clearly favouritism and everyone was aware of it. I ended up leaving, let them get on with it, you're worth more than this.