Flowery et al - help i need some advice

[choufleur]

to set the scene. I work for a local authority (so therefore it's meant to be equal opps etc), 4 days a week. The council is completely re-structuring and has advertised internally for positions to work on the change management team.

I received an acknolwedgment letter today that says if I'm succesful i will have to attend a week long residential course in London (i live in Leicester) in three weeks time (8th - 12th Sept). I wouldn't know if i had to go until 1st September.

Do you think I can argue that I'm being indirectly discriminated against because as a woman i am more likely to have childcare issue than male colleagues? i can't sort of out childcare for a week while i'm away as my DH works shifts so it's not as simple as putting DS in nursery for longer.

thanks

I think I'd start by looking for a compromise. I'm very surprised that the course is in London, but it should be possible to commute to London for a week. Could you look into that, first? Or get DH to change his shifts?

If you want to chat off the board I'm happy to do so, as my current role is very similar to the one you are applying for....

I've asked if i can commute but that was at 4 this afternoon so am waiting for a response. It depends on the timings of the course though i suppose and i don't think it would be practical to get a train at a ridiculously early time every morning and not get back until really late in teh evening. i would still have the same childcare problems.

I doubt DH could change his shifts at that notice as i know he tried to get some annual leave that week and couldn't because lots of other people were already on leave.

the course is in london as the process is being managed at enormous expense by Deloittes - great use of public funds if you ask me

sorry chofleur - I think you're being unreasonable. It's a one off and a fantastic investment in a new team. I don't think a week's training when part time working is otherwise accomodated is discrimination.

I'm doing a training course in London in September, and am desperately trying to find childcare.

Presumably the training course in London is at another Local Authority? Could you ask them if there are any nearby creches?

Could your DH try and book leave now and cancel it if not needed? I think kids will be back at school by then so less likely that his colleagues will be off work.