Complaint/discrimination

iclayt

Bantex wrote: »

I would guess your employer is either pretty large or more likely public sector.

You'd guess incorrectly.

haras_nosirrah

No my friend didn't get it and she works for the government. She did get an interview but wasn't selected. I don't think she expected to. I am a mum with an 18mth old that works part time and I have been promoted after returning to work. Would I have been expected to have been promoted to a new role while heavily pregnant and then been off for a year - probably not.

Reminds me of the Lenny Henry sketch where he wasn't cast in the role of Annie at the theatre and tells them he is being discriminated against for being black. Curtain comes up and he is wearing a ginger wig singing its a hard not life.

Before claiming discrimination see who got the job - it may be someone who was just more suited to the role

Gavin83

iclayt wrote: »

You'd guess incorrectly.

Did the company used to be public sector? I'm thinking something like TFL or Royal Mail.

I've never known private companies to use pay scales but I guess it could happen.

Jitterbug123

The thing is that even if this was discrimination, and I am not saying it was, they won't admit to it (unless they're really stupid). As long as they can demonstrate that they had a reason not to interview you that is legitimate I don't think you can get very far.

Hiccups_2

Jojo55 wrote: »

I don't have proof, no, thats why i don't even want to enter this territory if i haven't got a leg to stand on. The only thing i have is that the advert clearly states "no experience is required" and their reason for not offering me an interview is that they feel "experience would be essential" which makes me feel like they aren't being truthful. Secondly, the lady I'm replacing has the same background as me.

The thing you're probably upset about is the fact that you think they're fobbing you off with an excuse which makes no sense to you but you are expected to just accept it.

To be honest, I think you'd have the same feelings even if you'd reached the interview stage. It would have been better for your employer to invite you to an interview even if they had no intention of giving you the job, because in doing that they would have ticked the box for equal opportunities at the interview selection stage (because they already knew you were pregnant). But if they'd done that and you didn't get the job, then you would still be annoyed because whatever reason they gave you at that stage would also seem inadequate.

The person who told you to apply was not the decision maker, the decision maker could have any number of reasons for not choosing you that have nothing to do with maternity leave. You can bet that this what they will say if it ever went to a tribunal.

When the job advert was written, they might have stated no experience was needed because they weren't expecting many applications. If they then received too many applications, then they would have needed to adopt some other criterion to whittle it down further because they don't have time to interview everyone.

You also can't assume you know everything about the other candidates or the woman who previously did the job. You don't know what they might have done in previous jobs or hobbies / interests that mean they have acquired skills that would be useful in the role.

You don't have any proof and no you don't have any leg to stand on, so do nothing at all. Accept it, forget it and enjoy spending time with your new baby instead of worrying about raising grievances which will only end in more hassle for you.