Is this sex discrimination?

newcook

What does your female MD think about this?? I am assuming she will be attending this function and I am also going to assume that she will be putting through her dress on her expenses!!

yoni_one

I'm quite astonished by what has happened thus far.

Thank goodness you did not accept the bribe or that would have placed you in a very vulnerable position.

My first suggestion would be to keep an accurate record of what you have been told, and as tempting as it may be to tweak it in accordance with your feelings try to stick to the facts and the actual words used.

My second suggestion would be read a copies of the following company policies and procedures: complaints, equal opportunity, protection from abuse and most importantly the whistleblowing policy.

This started as a very clear case of discrimination on account of your gender and has moved on to an abusive act of a senior member of staff bribing you and asking you to keep his action confidential. In any report you make I would also include the comment made by your direct line manager regarding how he fails to see what the problem is.

I really dislike the use of the term 'the female card'. You work in a male dominated industry but that does not affect your rights as a woman.

It sounds like a need for some serious company training here.

Btw, getting union support on this is precisely the right move. This is a perfect example of one of the reasons for the need for unions.

Mojisola

Get the union involved. You may get this sorted out without them and then find that the company does all it can to get you sacked. You need people on your side!

shellsuit

Ooh what a slimey toad he is!

Even if I was rolling in it, I'd too be livid if I were in your shoes, all staff should be treated the same, regardless of what gender they are.

Good Luck with it all Beth, we're all behind you!

(P.S. I'd love to know how much your 'pay off' is lol!)

yoni_one

newcook wrote: »

What does your female MD think about this?? I am assuming she will be attending this function and I am also going to assume that she will be putting through her dress on her expenses!!

I'm wondering if the MD is even aware of it and if so there goes another person to include in your report.

Sian_the_Green

I really want to know what was in the envelope now

sylphraven

By the sounds of this old fashioned minded manager its probaly 20bob, lol.

Just posting to add my support, hope everything gets cleared up & all sides either get rented garments, or nothing at all (though rented would be nicer!) for years to come

Now that would be funny, go in nothing at all, coz thats what the company paid for :eek:

shell_girl

Quick note to Beth- if you're not a member of a union then you can also get advice from ACAS about this.

mymatebob

You do need to take this further - and higher.
from what you have said about your boss then it would appear this attitude is prevalent in your company.

You cannot let this go on.
Your company has a policy of discrimination.
A manager tried to bribe you.

You need to bring this to the attention of HR, very senior staff and the Union.
(Not necessarily in that order)

It is totally unacceptable.

naturally_2

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.

Wow :eek: well done you on your actions, you've got guts! :T

I agree with the people who say involve your union now, at least to get advice. Also keep a printed copy of all letters and emails on the subject and a dated and accurate transcript of all conversations including the one you mention here.

He/the company is blatantly in the wrong.


Incidently, on the taxable benefits thing, i wonder if somehow the tuxes are exempt because they are putting it through as a bulk order, rather than individual expenses, and therefore is not declarable or something stupid like that? I'm not too well up on that side of it, but sounds as if its a bit fishy - maybe he's trying to cover up an omission - deliberate or accidental - in his failure to tell the taxman about the tuxes? Just a thought, might be nothing in it ans it doesn't affect the main issue.

Please keep us posted! :T