Employer treating me unfairly. Discrimination

Misslayed

I'm confused. You used to have a husband

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/2239075

Now you have a wife?

pinkshoes

Misslayed wrote: »

I'm confused. You used to have a husband

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/2239075

Now you have a wife?

As it's written in a different style then I assume it's the wife who posted the previous query...

Couples do share MSE accounts.

TBagpuss

OP, I'm sorry to hear you are having such a dificult time.

In terms of holiday:
- they can require you to take holiday at a time they want. they much give you notice, and the notice period is 2 x the length of the holiday. So of they want to tell you to take one days holiday, they must give you 2 days notice. If they want you to take 2 weeks holiday, they need to give you 4 weeks notice, and so on.

In relation to the discrimination, being French is not not a protected characteristic, so it is not unlawful for them discriminate on that basis . (it is clearly not fair, but it is not illegal)

It would be possible for you to make a formal flexible working request.
You might find it helpful to lok at this guide for employers - http://www.acas.org.uk/media/pdf/f/e/Code-of-Practice-on-handling-in-a-reasonable-manner-requests-to-work-flexibly.pdf - if you make a request, in your request address the points they will have to consider and offer solution (e.g. since one of the valid reasons for turning down a request is if it is not practical to reorganise the work among other employees, so give example of how thy *could* organise the work with other employees, for instance by requiring the shifts which are less popular to be shared evenly, rather than expecting one person to cover them all, using a 'first come, first served' arrangements for holiday requests, etc.).

If you do have a zero hours contract, then you are not obliged to take every shift you are offered, and can simply tell them that you are not able to cover a particular shift. Obviously this does affect your income, but you can consider whether it is better to earn a bit less in order to be available for your family.

Aside from thework issues, I's suggest that you look in to whether there is any further help you might be eligable for which you are not currently getting. For example:
- are you, as a family, eligible to claim any carers or disability allowances, given the health issues your children have?
- are social services or your older children schools able to offer any assistance with respite care, support or after school care to help with looking after the other children while your son is in hospital or attending appointments?
- are there any charities, (ask the hospital, and search on line based on the medical conditions your children have) which might be able to assist with practical or financial support.
- Are you claiming tax credits or universal credits, and have you checked to see whether these would go up, if you were working fewer hours? It might reduce the loss if you do have to take unpaid leave.

It does sound as though the best option will be for you to try to find a new job where you will be treated fairly, though.