Sexual discrimination at work place for a man.

diesel_dog

I've got a friend who works in a conference centre/hotel.
For the past 7 months while he's been employed there, he has been more told than asked to help with lifting, carrying, moving, stuff. This could be tables, chairs, boxes, etc. At first he would do it to help out. He is moving this stuff for the people that work in the sales, bar, restaurant, cleaners, etc

The thing is that the people that he is helping move things for are female and state that they can't carry or lift heavy stuff. Approx 75% of the staff are female including the boss.

He is employed as a maintenance technician/gardener and is getting totally fed up with having to be a labourer for other departments. His contract does state to help with other tasks on an as and when basis.

Surely this is totally wrong that because they pull the wimp card all the time and that includes the boss. If your employed to do a job you do all the associated tasks that go with it regardless of sex?

He has told the boss that it's wrong for them to expect him to be doing this. The reply was your a man and woman aren't designed to carry and lift things and if you don't like it then leave.

He can't afford to leave then job due to a new born baby. He has also started to note down all the dates, times, names but not sure what to do or what governing body to complain to.

Any info appreciated and will be passed on. Feel free to private message me as well.

DD

GEEGEE8

I don't understand the problem. His contract says he should help out as and when needed.

Is he suffering because of these duties? Or just doesn't want to do them?

getmore4less

Sound like he is just doing his job

Maintanence/handyman/gardener/general dogs body.

If a lot of this stuff needs doing he needs to make sure he is busy and drop by later to do it, aiming to get overtime.

And always ask for help with the big stuff H&S.

whitewing

Actually I can sympathise. My DH works part time for me and part time at another job. At his other job, on his 4 hr shift he can spend the entire 4 hrs carrying/pushing stuff around as he is taller and stronger than the female staff. It can tire him out and I do tell him that a 4 hr shift in the morning shouldn't render him incapable of doing anything for the rest of the day.

See what ACAS think.

1984ReturnsForReal_2

Well. I am going to disagree with the other two posters.

It is a clear case of discrimination if he is the only person asked to do the lifting & the excuse is they cannot because they are women.

diesel_dog

Thanks for you opinions.
Me personally? I think it's wrong. Why should he subsidise someone else's wages because their too lazy to do their own tasks?

I can't see dogs body been in his role description :rotfl:

ACAS? What could they do about it?

jimbms

You say he is employed as a maintenance technician/gardener, to me unless any of these items come under gardening or building maintenance then he can tell them to sod off.

GEEGEE8

Can he say he is getting back problems from it, or falling behind on his other duties.

lucylucky

If he was not available what would be done?

zzzLazyDaisy

If the tasks fall within his contract/job description (which seems likely as you say his terms and conditions include additional tasks) then this is unlikely to be viewed as unlawful discrimination.

He should also be aware that if he has less than 12 months service, he can be dismissed for any reason (provided the reason does not amount to unlawful discrimination). So if he has only been with them for 7 months, his position is likely to be precarious if his employer decides that his performance and/or attitude is unsatisfactory - and there is probably a queue of people who could do his job.

Of course, if he does lose his job, he could make a claim to a tribunal for sex discrimination and see what happens, but in my view, based on what you've said, I don;t think his prospects of success are very high - and in the meantime he would still have lost his job.

skintdragon

Am I right in assuming the man in question is having to do all the manual work virtually with NO assistance? If that is the case, then surely the female counterparts are clearly pulling a fast one?

The Health and Safety Executive have clear guidelines for manual handing for both men and women; may I draw your attention to page 10 of the link:

http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg143.pdf

If he is doing what he believes to be excessive moving and handling, then the company will have alot to answer for when/ if he injures himself at work. I wonder if the boss does any risk assessments beforehand?

:eek: