Is this sex discrimination?

Nicki

AnnieM wrote: »

I hope this isn't going to end up being an argument between those who would press the matter, and those who wouldn't. Only the OP can know whether she feels strongly enough to, or if she dares to.

I hope so too.

I only sought to offer a different view to the one which had been universally expressed up until then, and have come back to defend myself against those who feel I've let womankind down by doing so. I do feel strongly that it is for sportsbeth to choose what to do from here on in, but with eyes wide open, and looking after herself as well as fighting for rights for all.

I'm not sure I have anything more to add to my position, so will leave you to it.

Superlucy_2

Oh wow. Just found this post...cant believe it! I really don't know what i'd do in this situation. Keep us updated Sportbeth and Good Luck!

sarymclary

Isn't the 'do' tonight? I wonder how Sportbeth is getting along? I hope she looked fantastic in her £30 frock, networked her socks off, and proved she wasn't going to be phased by the whole affair.

Keep us up to date on what happens the morning after the night before!

patchwork_cat

This really is a hard question - on the one hand do you stand up and kick off about what is clearly an unfair situation and potentially do yourself irrepairable damage in your career or do you swallow it because in this climate jobs are hard to come by?

In my youth and more militant times I would say - no it isn't right, shouldn't have happened and I am going to kick off. With the benefit of maturity and distance! I would say swallow it and look for another job as do you really want to work somewhere with an attitude like that.

skintchick

Nicki wrote: »

rather than have sportsbeth sitting at home by Christmas celebrating her pyrrhic victory and polishing up her CV. At which point, I still wonder whether she'd think it was all worth it for the benefit of those left behind

Slightly different, but I was encouraged to lie on my timesheets to secure my job (as my job is rective and I wasn't being given enough to do). I didn't, because I feel that lying is wrong and I won't do it, on principle. I got made redundant. I still feel I did the right thing - I live by my principles first and if I always do what is right then I know that whatever happens I haven't done the wrong thing (yes that is meant two ways).

mudgekin

What a very difficult situation to be in. What sized of a company is this, and what sized company bought it over? Does the parent company have strong internal policies and procedures?

That aside, while I feel that Sportsbeth was quite right in initially raising it as an issue, in my mind it should perhaps have been left at that stage. herpoint was made regarding the inequality of treatment.

Taking it further may well have been risky considering the fact her DH works with the same company and in view of the previous comments made to both of them I feel that perhaps this should have been left as pointing out that this is definately an inequality issue.

Principles are all well and good but in these days of financial insecurity decisions need to be made as to what battles are really worth fighting over. Principles don't put a roof over your head or food on the table

liney

Was the OP the only one actually effected by this, as the business is so male dominated? The bloke who gave her the brown envelope being accussed of bribery probably filled it out of his own pocket after raising the greivance and having no joy himself; hardly the money saving option for him.

The night out was not compulsory and if you work in a male dominated environment then you will always have to work harder, and you will always suffer some degree of sexism. The benefits being that if it's male dominated you are likely to be better paid so you can afford a cocktail dress.

It might unfair, but definately more realistic - people should know by now that whatever employment law says is all well and good, but a clever company will always get around the issue, and 'remove' the source of the problem.

jimmyay

i would just have done what Grace Jones used to do at parties in New York - turn up naked with just high heels and a fur coat against the cold.


seriously though it is a kind of discrimination but not worth losing 2 jobs over. there is obviously a bigger picture to this and no one likes a woman with a load of attitude that rocks the boat pver a small thing like this. partic if her hubby works in the same office - it just stinks of politics. she was offerered to claim expenses. i dont see what the big deal is.

mymatebob

jimmyay wrote: »

i would just have done what Grace Jones used to do at parties in New York - turn up naked with just high heels and a fur coat against the cold.


seriously though it is a kind of discrimination but not worth losing 2 jobs over. there is obviously a bigger picture to this and no one likes a woman with a load of attitude that rocks the boat pver a small thing like this. partic if her hubby works in the same office - it just stinks of politics. she was offerered to claim expenses. i dont see what the big deal is.

What?

Because a person (man or woman) wishes to be treated equally then this is wrong?

Was she offered the chance to claim back the hire on expenses? apologies if I missed that but if that was the case then surely this would be an end to it?

LilMissEmmylou

Gosh this was an interesting thread! Looking fwd to sportsbeths return for an update

Im on the side of principle too, I would be going down the same road as you in this situation so good luck!