Disrimination at Work

[pregomum]

I was told by my employer yesterday that I have been, "Stood down"(unpaid). As far as I am aware it is pretty much forever. It also has happened to another lady at work who is due 2 mths before me, the week before. Reason for being stood down is that we are unable to carry out our normal jobs which are quite heavy. We have both been on light duties since falling pregnant but they have now decided that we have to do our normal jobs (which require us to pack 10-15kg continuously for 10hrs a day) or get stood down. My supervisor said to me that if I am serious about not losing this baby that I should stopworking. Are they able to do this? Has it happened to anyone else?

[Milliner]

With all these new IR laws I have no idea if they can legaly do this. It might be an idea to ring wageline and speak to someone about it. Is it a small company?

[ETsMum]

Awww pregomum :hugs: how awful!

Maybe post this question in the general preg section or the maternity leave section. There are a few girls around who work in HR that might be able to help you.

[Bron]

That's discrimination. It goes beyond unfair dismissal and is quite frankly, as far as I can see, illegal.

I was under the impression that a workplace was obliged to arrange for pregnant employees to do "safe" work.

If you are a union member, give them a call first thing on Monday morning.

[unhappy]

what industry do you work in? and do you have a signed contract with the employer? there are alot of legalities with it all. I used to be a regional manager for a retail company and if one of our workers became pregnant... we would have to modify their daily duties to accomodate them. Even if it was a manager or regional manager they would be put on light duties but would still be able to hold their position until they felt it was time for them to leave...
To me it really does sound like unfair dismissal but as i said it depends on the industry and what your contract states etc etc... what state do you live in also?

[pregomum]

I work in an abbatoir bad work, but good pay and is only down the road. I live in Queensland.

The place where I work employs approx 430 people. We work under a Employee Bargaining Agreement (?) or as I know it an EBA. In the EBA it states that if a worker falls pregnant the employer has to try to find them a suitable job, if there isn't anything suitable then you go on to maternity leave early.

There are sooo many jobs there that I am able to do, I am experienced in the areas etc, but their excuse is that they can't take someone off their job just because I have fallen pregnant. We are all on the same pay rate and

I have been taken off a number of jobs previous to this pregnancy for people who have either fallen pregnant or been able to do heavy duties eg. new people who are old, the unfit or the lazy ones.

I think its wrong. I was only going to work for another month or two, but that isn't the point.I don't want to kick up too much of a stink cause my DF works out there too.

[Dancing Girl]

Hi Pregomum :wave:

As some of the other ladies have said, you have been discriminated against, but a lot of what you can do weighs on the exact clauses of your EBA.

I've worked in HR for a number of years now and even under the new IR laws, employers must transfer an employee to a 'safe' job if they are unable to perform their normal duties.

I'd be happy to help if you'd like to PM me.

[bekkyboo]

I used to work at an abbatoir as well. I slipped on the slaughter floor and hurt my back - was meant to go on light duties but wasnt moved - was told to go back to the nurse if i had any problems. When i did they told me that it was obvious that i couldnt to the job i was employed for - so therefore they will have to end my contract.

Abbatoirs get away with alot of dodgy HR stuff (at least at mine they did) - and its cr@p...

Do what you think is right. If i was in your situation i would be keeping in mind that DF still has to work there... and for a couple of months work would it be worth it?

[Livy]

That's terribe for you to be told that :yes:

But I would say with these stupid new IR laws that they can pretty much do what they want. Especially if they can say you can't carry out duties that you were employed to do.

But I guess it's still worth checking it out.

Good luck.

[pregomum]

Well on of the guys who are on of the big managers finally returned my call today and I have to go in for a meeting tommorrow.
Looking forward to it in one way .... to see what he has to say and in another I am totally scared to death.
Being pregnant I have been crying at the drop of a hat, I know this guy is definately not understanding and I think he is quite heartless. So if it gets too much I reckon I will end up bursting into tears and walking out.
I have also found out there is a third pregnant lady who as also been stood down for being pregnant too.
While my DF is at work today he is going to speak to the union rep to see what I can do.
I'm really gettng to be over this, I want to stand up for my rights but can't too much cause it may put DFs job on the line.

[shorty_851]

I was told that me being pg was a slap in my employers face.

And the first thing the boss asked was if i was going to keep it and why.

[pregomum]

Shorty_851 - What an a' hole!!!! When I fell pregnant with my first child my previous employer said the same thing, although I was only 16 at the time it was none of his business, I gave him a mouthful.
After realising I was serious about my job he even asked me back to work for him after my DD was born!!!! Some employers are just so heartless my previous had 5 kids of his own and I just found out the manager that stood me down has 3, you think they wou have a little more understanding:mad:

[Sandy]

Far out!

Go to the union. This is discrimination and take em to the cleaners!