I was recently offered a new job opportunity. I got the offer letter
in the mail and it stated the base salary, the start date and health
benefits. Then it stated "more details about your benefits will be
provided in your first day".
Here's a little background. I am a new mom and have an 8 1/2 month
old
daughter that goes to daycare. I made it clear to my prospective
employer that this is my situation and because of this I have to
leave
work on time most days to pick her up. I also told them that when it
is needed, I can stay and work late and make arrangentments to have
my
daughter picked up. They acknowleged this fact and went on to
offering
me the job. I then put my 2 week notice with my current employer, as
the new employer was putting pressure on me to start as soon as
possible.
I was also told by this company (via their recruiter) that the hours
are from 9:00 am to 5:30 pm in their office.
One day after I put in my notice, I called my potential new boss
(who
knew I had already put in my notice). He started talking to me in a
very mean and rude way that he was concerned about my "situation".
He
said the hours are from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm and they expected me to
work late on a daily basis. I told him that was new information as I
was told the hours were 9 to 5:30. I also told him that my
"situation"
had already been covered during the interview process (which
included
an interview with him) and that I was willing to work late hours
when
necessary, but if not necessary I would go home to my family. He
then
said "you will never pass your probation period like that". I told
him
I work hard and don't waste time chatting in the corridor. I also
told
him I have never missed a deadline at work, or went home with work
that needed to be done, undone. But I don't stay late at work just
as
a hobby -- I have a family to go home to. He repeated I was never
going to pass the probation period and was really "concerned". I was
shocked. I told him "isn't this a little bit too late in the game to
bring this up, when it has already been covered during the interview
process? You know I have put in my 2 week notice". He repeated his
concerns, asked me "are we clear?", I said yes, he said thank you
and
hung up the phone.
I went back to my current employer and told them I wanted to stay
and
stopped the resignation process. I am lucky I have a very good
relationship with my current employer and they appreciate my work.
They "took me back" and I then send my "new" employer a refusal
letter
(I had not yet signed any contracts with them).
Now on to my question. A few co-workers came to talk to me and told
me
this is discrimination against women/working mothers. Is this the
case? If so, what can be done about this? I don't necessarily want
to
file a lawsuit, but I do want to "scare" or "warn" them as they
should
not play with people's lives like this. I am lucky my employer took
me
back because I NEED to work. I have a new baby to support. I could
be
out in the street without a job now...
Any advice?
You have a sex discrimination case that is at least good enough that
you should see a local attorney experienced in that field. It may be
that the quality of your evidence isn't good enough, or that I'm wrong
about you having a claim, but it can't cost anything to make an
appointment with an attorney and find out.
McGvyer
