Conference - unpaid due to part time

[Crimsonbow]

My employer is holding a conference, with the opportunity for networking and professional development through workshops. It is on a day that I don't work (I work part time).

I've asked to attend and be given the time back in lieu but denied this request and told the conference is optional, although this very much is not the impression given in communications about it. I can attend but will not be paid back, even with TOIL. My colleagues who work on the conference day will be paid as they normally would, so will essentially be paid for attending.

This feels discriminatory. Is it?

Could you just swap days to attend?

No, this happens to me often. Just suck it up if it’s beneficial for your career. Usually the employer pays my fees and expenses but I contribute my time

I'm not sure its discriminatory as you have been told you don't have to attend as it's your non-working day, so it's your choice to attend. If you were told you had to attend then and not be paid for it, or even you had to change your day to attend that would be discriminatory.

It would be nice of then to let you go and have TOIL, but I don't think they have to.

I'm afraid it's not discriminatory as it's but compulsory for you to attend.
Honestly I would suck this one up and attend and demonstrate that just because you are part time you're still interested in development etc.

I don't think it's discrimination as they have told you it is optional to attend. If they were making you go, then I would think you would have to be paid, but you have a choice.

Thank you everyone. It irks me that they normally give me TOIL for procedural training days but when there's an actual professional development one (with lunch! Which never happens) it's not offered. But I'll just grumble here and to myself and leave it there.

I’ve attended breakfast meetings, evening meetings, I have even done the odd thing on a Saturday for professional reasons. Sometimes taking yourself off the clock is required for professional progress.

I think it is discriminatory.

It's not OK to say OP doesn't need to attend. It's an opportunity that her colleagues will be paid to attend and she won't.

Also from a management POV I don't know why you wouldn't agree to swapping days.

Yes, poor form to not allow toil. If I really wanted to go I would, but otherwise no. I'd probably take it a bit higher up too.

Honestly I wouldn't take this further. It's continuing professional development, an opportunity to advance your career, show enthusiasm and willingness. You don't have to attend, but surely you can see the benefit?

If they're paying for your colleagues to attend they should pay for you to attend, optional or not. What does your training or equality policy say?

I would argue that it is discrimination as it's a paid opportunity for her colleagues and not for OP.

It may well be optional, in which OP should be given the option to attend (and be paid like her colleagues) or not to attend and miss out. The options shouldn't be "go and not get paid or don't go at all" m.

It could be indirect discrimination, if the benefits of networking and workshops for CPD is offered to full time staff, so more likely to be men, and if denied to part time workers, more likely to be women. It also evidences a mindset of "you're less valuable and not worthy of investment as a part time worker compared to being a full time worker".

I've asked to attend and be given the time back in lieu but denied this request and told the conference is optional

I would run your situation past ACAS or Union, if you are a member, to get their opinion, but you shouldn't have to attend work on a day when you're not contractually paid, when full time staff get the benefits and get paid. You're not a second-class citizen, but the fact you offered to swap your days and were denied that option, and told its a optional event is sickening and devalues you as a member of staff.