One of our employees asked to shorten their working hours so she could leave early on a Monday to collect her child from an After School Club that closed at 5pm.
Someone who should have known better informed her that yes it was ok to leave early [she had offered to come in earlier and work the lunch break where necessary]. However, he did say that Senior Management frowned on women working fewer hours and that it may impact on any promotion opportunities that may arise in March. She has worked for the company for 4 years, consistently excellent performer.
As you can imagine she is pretty livid with this comment and stating that should the promotion not arise in March then she will consider her options under the sex discrimination legislation.
Stupid comment by the guy, but what can we do to calm the situation down? And how successful would she if she did decide to bring a claim?
Lorraine Whale
