Am I Being Discriminated Against/Treated Less Favourably

stressedoutmum

getmore4less. The old job was made redundant couple weeks ago so we are now on the new job. We had the choice of taking redundancy, applying for the new job (old job was 20 hours, new contracts are for 12 hours) or applying for any other vacancies in the company (there was only a 5 hour contract available in my area so it was a non starter for me) You had to apply for the new job. I was told those who previously covered 2 branches would now only be offered one. It was not automatic, interview process etc. I started the new job couple weeks ago because I need the money and less hours is better than no job.The redundancy package offered was very basic. I have since found out that those who previously covered 2 branches have retained this. I just wondered why I couldnt do 2 branches when others are allowed to. The thing is at any other point in the company when there is an internal vacancy we are allowed to apply for it but I am constantly discouraged from doing this on this vacancy. As I have lost 8 hours, the 2 branches would really help us out financially.

dharm999

Just a thought, probably not relevant, but the people who have kept two branches, are they male, by any chance? If so, and you are not allowed to have two branches, then it certainly looks strange, to me. I am probably clutching at straws, but a bit more info may be revealing.

Horace

In this instance as others have said you need to raise a formal grievance with HR - they will then need investigate your grievance and give an answer.

getmore4less

stressedoutmum wrote: »

but I am constantly discouraged from doing this on this vacancy. As I have lost 8 hours, the 2 branches would really help us out financially.

Ignore that and apply anyway.

Who is putting the pressure on to not apply

getmore4less

stressedoutmum wrote: »

There is a vacancy at another branch near to me

Thinking a bit more

Is this closer than the branch you ended up at or do you have a preference to work there?
Another angle might be to look at a swap to the this branch so you can apply.

Allthough a bit late a delaying tactic could have been to look at taking the role on a 4 week trial.

Savvy_Sue

This vacancy, do you think they have a surplus of workers now so they want to make as few redundancies as possible? They don't have to make you redundant, because you've applied for and been given a one branch job. However, if you get an additional branch added on, that may leave someone who could have worked there having to be made redundant. Cheaper to try and spread everyone a bit thinner instead, so they are discouraging you and NOT giving you the second branch automatically.

People who already were in two branches clearly couldn't be refused two branches on the new contracts, but you can, they think.

It's just a thought, but even if it's true I agree with getmore's advice.

stressedoutmum

The branch I am at is closest to my home. The other branch I wanted is the 2nd closest. There is a mixture of male and female staff doing the role in all branches. They don't have a surplus of workers as most people took redundancy so they have a large amount of vacancies which have been advertised but there's not been much interest in them. Our new jobs were given on a 4 week trial which is just up. However from the start I have expressed an interest in both. I am being discouraged because I have told HR I wished to apply for the 2nd branch as well and they told me, through my boss, I couldnt that the job was being adverised externally and internally first. This is the reply I get all the time. Sorry dont know how to do quotes but I hope I replied to all. Thanks for your help. It is encouraging.

getmore4less

I would get the company policies out about applying for jobs.
Must be in the handbook somewhere for a company of this size.

It would be very unusual for it to say you can't, might include notifying/ approval from current boss.

I would apply with no mention of doing both and if the application is refused put in a grievence.

If you get offered then you accept only if you can do both.

stressedoutmum

Checked my employee book and nothing about vacancies. Have worked there 10 years plus and we have always been able to apply for internal vacancies. I didnt think legally you could be stopped for applying for another post. My boss and the boss of the other branch have been fighting my corner and constatly expressing my interest to hr but the reply came back saying well the job is now advertised even though hr knew my interest way back when it first started. Have written a letter to HR and from that may put in a grievance. I would like to know why I'm not being treated equally

laurel7172

Welcome to 21st century working practices.

It makes far more sense for the company to have a portfolio of reasonably hungry, short-houred employees who will be glad to do a few extra hours when needed, than to accommodate somebody with hours at different branches.

Sensible. Not fair.