I have an eight year old child who has a heart defect, epilepsy, autism and other learning disabilities. He has a one to one at school for safety reasons. He is unpredictable though the sweetest little boy. I have not claimed DLA for him as I have always worked. So he is not registered disabled.
My issue is I have a very harsh boss who doesn't give an inch to me. It sometimes feels as if they are actively unhelpful. In 2016 i asked for reduced hours it took 2 years and 4 days to implement they dragged it out and out and when i threatened to see a solicitor it was implemented within a month. I later discovered the HR officer (now left organisation) was friends with my boss.
I am one of 15 officers (none have school aged children) but was, or so it would appear, indespensable. A member of staff during that time reduced hours leaving a ten hour hole in responsibility of the organisation and the work has been hoisted onto others. This was granted quickly, they have no disability or dependents. Strangely she takes lunch with the boss a couple of times a week pre pandemic!!!
Eventually my shifts were agreed and I was brow beaten to take hours and at times to suit them and then worked rest of my life around the shift pattern. They were slightly better than working full time. Reduced my hours from 36 to 29 i had wanted 21 hours. So I should know better to expect understanding, compassion, empathy etc
When the pandemic struck there was allocation to provide home working facilities for four out of fifteen operators. I was called into a meeting and told if I worked from home I would have to be flexible and available to work anytime day or night. This flexibility is a one way street. I personally believe they know my partner works and I have to work my shifts are rigid to fit my sons requirements. Ultimately they were to suit the department and not me. Those operators worked from home and from memory they came in a couple of days each during period Feb-Sep. (One staff was shielding at home and she pestered them to come in so you can guess what type of person I am dealing with) and they have barely moved any of them about. When I questioned this recently I was told when they meant flexible they meant flexible for me. They haven't been flexible before or since, basically lied. I am aware that it is an organisation that needs staff cover but this emphasis is greater or smaller depending who is asking, just feels one day told it is imperative you stick to shifts next day erm can you move sh ift....
Then one of the staff left the organisation so I was given their laptop/phone for a month. I threw my toys out of pram explaining my sons conditions and how covid-19 may pose a risk to him. She agreed to me having a laptop if I come into office to cover staff shortages, I am guessing at any time of night or day. The other staff at home now don't have to come in at all it would appear? In hindsight I should have done this in February, but times were so uncertain I didn't know what to do.
I work for large govt org and have looked into grievance procedure. My belief (and I am aware a problem is always seen through the view point of the person telling the story) is that I am discriminated against by virtue of my association to my son and by fact that I am being singled out as the de facto flexible team member (as you can gather I have no wish to be the relief worker).
Any advice pro or con is welcome