Is this sex discrimination?

skintchick

Just cos Wiki says it, doesn't make it true...

Anyway, I expect he said ballgowns as a figure of speech, but the issue of discrimination remains.

EDIt
I'll believe Debretts though
http://www.debretts.com/advice.php?id=1

sportbeth

Well! He caught me on my way out of the door last night, took me into a meeting room and explained that although the policy isn't going to change for women to be able to hire outfits or be expensed to pay for them (some utter balls about taxable benefits, so what if I get taxed?! its better than nothing!)

He said that on this occasion he did feel bad for me and handed me an envelope saying that I wasn't to tell anyone that he had given it to me.

I took the envelope in shock and tbh was totally aghast at the lack of apology or recognition at the actual issue (total blatant discrimination) and I left the office, got on the train and sent a lengthy email to HR saying that the envelope would remain unopened and returned this morning.

awaiting a response from HR now.

SandC

Crikey sportbeth, I have read this all completely aghast!

When others have spoken about precedents, well it was the other females in the past who have set that precedent by supplying their own posh frocks for these occasions. It is totally out of order and you are so right in putting your foot down to get this precedence back in the 21st century!

Good for you and I've got fingers crossed for it getting sorted out.

Just one thing I thought I would mention - you said that your boss has used the example of other women never hiring or claiming expenses for this - can you have a word with these other members of staff and find out how they felt about it? Were they just putting up and shutting up for fear of being discriminated against further?

skintchick

sportbeth wrote: »

Well! He caught me on my way out of the door last night, took me into a meeting room and explained that although the policy isn't going to change for women to be able to hire outfits or be expensed to pay for them (some utter balls about taxable benefits, so what if I get taxed?! its better than nothing!)

He said that on this occasion he did feel bad for me and handed me an envelope saying that I wasn't to tell anyone that he had given it to me.

I took the envelope in shock and tbh was totally aghast at the lack of apology or recognition at the actual issue (total blatant discrimination) and I left the office, got on the train and sent a lengthy email to HR saying that the envelope would remain unopened and returned this morning.

awaiting a response from HR now.

:eek: :eek: :eek:

Oh this guy just signed his P45. What an idiot.

And what's that stuff about taxable benefits? If it applies to women it must apply to men too!

MrsTinks

Silly silly man... He has handled it VERY badly indeed. The issue, if I am right, ceased to be about the money for the dress a few stages ago, but about the fact that MEN should be allowed to get suits hired for them free of charge, but WOMEN are expected to provide their own outfits at whatever the cost to them. Trying to bribe you to stay quiet about his monumental mistake is error number 2! Infact if you really want to get picky it's actually the second time he's broken the law in this incident.
If he'd openly admitted he screwed up, he was sorry and he'd speak to the company to get this corrected in future for all female employees I'd have said "Take it and be happy" - but underhand trying to buy his way out of a VERY deep hole like this? The guy should not be in a position of management!

got-it-spend-it

Good on you Sportbeth! I used to work in a male oriented environment and a couple of years ago it was decided that our paid for Christmas do would be in a topless bar! Needless to say, I didn't go- not least because I didn't want to spend the evening with a group of guys who thought that a topless bar was an appropriate work night out venue! I was hacked off at the time but didn't pursue the fact that I missed out on the Christmas do because of their choice of venue!

Let us know how you get on.

mymatebob

You have dealt with this very well.

He is a complete idiot.
He has tried to bribe you - he has confirmed that he has a discriminatory policy - which is illegal.

I hope HR deal with this properly.

I cannot believe that someone can still think it is alright for this sort of thing to go.

I used to have to attend a lot of formal events and would hire whatever was appropriate - as would any women attending. The cost was picked up by the company.

Do let us know what happens to this buffoon

sportbeth

skintchick wrote: »

:eek: :eek: :eek:

Oh this guy just signed his P45. What an idiot.

And what's that stuff about taxable benefits? If it applies to women it must apply to men too!

I didn't get that either to be honest. Of course it could be seen as a benefit which you should be taxed on. So why do the men have a loophole?

sportbeth

mymatebob wrote: »

You have dealt with this very well.

He is a complete idiot.
He has tried to bribe you - he has confirmed that he has a discriminatory policy - which is illegal.

I hope HR deal with this properly.

I cannot believe that someone can still think it is alright for this sort of thing to go.

I used to have to attend a lot of formal events and would hire whatever was appropriate - as would any women attending. The cost was picked up by the company.

Do let us know what happens to this buffoon

I think he can thank his lucky stars that I didn't march straight to the phone and call a union rep yesterday. That would have blown the whole thing apart instantly. What he's banking on I believe is that I'm not in a position to kick off entirely as our company has just been taken over and we're all feeling a bit nervious right now. Fortunately for me though, he's not my line manager. However I spoke to my line manager yesterday and his response was and I quote "I don't see why you've got such a problem with it"

I explained to him that when he takes his paycheque home at the end of the month it's up to him and his family as to what they do with it. Nobody tells him that they have to give £50 odd back to the company just for the sake of an event that they're too tight to contribute towards because he is a different sex.

skintchick

You mentioned a union - I actually would get them involved or at least call them if you are a member. This is going to go ballistic and you will need support. But you are totally right and striking a blow for equal rights so keep going!