Woman Calls Out Discrimination After She’s Forced To Cover For Colleagues With Kids On Xmas

Many of us have had to work over the holidays at some point in our careers. Depending on your industry, company, and workplace culture, you’re either kicking back and relaxing over Xmas or it’s just a regular work week for you, albeit one with higher pay, tasty food, and cozy decor… hopefully. However, one thing that grinds people’s gears is workplace inequality.

If a handful of your colleagues get special treatment, this will lead to a lot of resentment and tension. One anonymous woman went viral on Mumsnet after venting about how she’s forced to work long hours on Christmas week while those of her colleagues who have children get to take off early. You don’t have to have kids to want to spend the holidays with the people you love instead of at the office. And discrimination has no place in any workplace. It’s also illegal. Scroll down for the full story, as well as how various internet users interpreted the situation.

It’s natural to want to rest over the holidays. In some cases, employees are pressured to work when they’d rather be with their loved ones

A stressed woman in Christmas attire, highlighting workplace discrimination around holiday coverage.

Image credits: YuriArcursPeopleimages / envato (not the actual photo)

A British worker shared she’s forced to work over Xmas while her colleagues get to finish earlier because they have kids

Text about a woman calling out workplace discrimination over working Christmas due to not having kids.

Text describing a woman's schedule, highlighting issues with holiday shift discrimination against her.

Text highlighting workplace discrimination against a woman covering shifts due to not having children.

A family celebrating Christmas at home, wearing festive outfits and Santa hats, symbolizing holiday traditions and togetherness.

Image credits: wosunan / envato (not the actual photo)

Text highlighting discrimination over covering shifts for colleagues with kids during Christmas.

Text expressing frustration at discrimination for covering colleagues with kids during Christmas.

Image credits: boogiewoogie24

Discrimination at work, in education, and elsewhere is outright illegal in the UK

Image credits: Getty Images / unsplash (not the actual photo)

Labor laws in the West are fairly solid when it comes to fighting back against discrimination. The law is very clear.

According to the British government, in the United Kingdom, where the author of the viral post works and lives, it is against the law to discriminate against anyone because of:

• age
• gender reassignment
• being married or in a civil partnership
• being pregnant or on maternity leave
• disability
• race including color, nationality, ethnic or national origin
• religion or belief
• sex
• sexual orientation

These are all so-called protected characteristics and they protect people at work, in education, as consumers, when using public services, when buying or renting property, and as members or guests of private clubs or associations.

You aren’t powerless; there are different things you can do if you think that you’ve been unfairly discriminated against. For example, you can complain directly to the person or organization (e.g., your manager, HR department, or whoever is at the top of the corporate ladder).

Be sure to read your work contract in detail, get to know your local labor laws, and consider talking to a legal representative for advice

Image credits: Cytonn Photography / pexels (not the actual photo)

Alternatively, you can look for mediators. For instance, you could talk to your trade (labor) union representative or seek out a solicitor’s advice. If things don’t improve, you always have the option of going to court.

No matter the trouble at work, it’s always helpful to take a close(r) look at your contract, your company’s policies, and the local and national labor laws. If your contract specifies that your manager can ask you to work over the holidays, you should also make sure under what conditions you’re allowed to say ‘no.’

Of course, what happens ‘on paper’ and behind closed doors at businesses can be very different. Even companies that claim to treat all of their employees equally can play favorites. But if that information gets out to the wider public, the company can land in hot water and end up damaging its reputation, as well as its profits.

That’s not to say that every company is going to be mustache-twirlingly ‘evil’ or anything like that, but it takes constant work for a culture of transparency, responsibility, and support to remain strong. And every employee is a part of that culture. If one person plays favorites or discriminates against their colleagues who (don’t) have children, it’s a big step toward toxicity. There are many business practices that are outright illegal.

If you want the holidays off, you need to bring the topic up with your superiors. Being told that you’ll be working because ‘you don’t have kids’ isn’t an excuse. It’s not valid and it’s grounds for a chat with your lawyer.

How would you handle this situation if you were in the woman’s shoes, dear Pandas? Have you ever had to work the holidays while people with kids get an easy pass? Or maybe you’ve experienced the reverse where you have children and you’ve been discriminated against in the workplace? When was the last time you had to work over Xmas? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments. Happy holidays!

Many people were shocked by this sort of toxic behavior at work. Here’s their perspective

Text comment on discrimination at work reported by user Itisjustmyopinion.

Text highlighting discrimination against childfree employees needing fair holiday scheduling.

Text screenshot discussing fair holiday work schedules and discrimination.

Text discussing workplace discrimination and unfair Christmas shifts, emphasizing equality for colleagues without kids.

Text discussing work schedule preferences during Christmas, addressing discrimination concerns over colleagues with kids.

Comment about discrimination and covering for colleagues with kids on Christmas.

Text conversation discussing discrimination related to covering shifts during Christmas.

Text exchange addressing workplace discrimination during holidays.

Text screenshot about a woman addressing workplace discrimination during Xmas.

Text discussing Christmas work discrimination and calling for fair treatment from HR.

Text highlights workplace discrimination complaint about covering shifts for colleagues with kids on Christmas.

Text from user discussing workplace discrimination about covering shifts on Christmas.

Text discussing workplace discrimination related to covering for colleagues with kids on Christmas.

Comment discussing holiday pay rates to address work discrimination.

Text comment about workplace leave disputes during Christmas, highlighting issues of discrimination.

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