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Unsure of your equality rights or the law? We can provide advice and assistance for people who feel they have been discriminated against.
 
 

Raising concerns of discrimination

During maternity leave
Pregnancy at work

What you need to know

 

Raising concerns of maternity discrimination
(raising a grievance, requesting information, taking an industrial tribunal claim, getting advice)


What can I do if I am worried about how I am being treated because of my maternity leave?


It is advisable to try to resolve matters informally first and if this does not succeed, raise your concerns formally in writing. You can:
 
  • Ask your union representative to raise your concerns with your employer.
  • Raise your concerns informally with your manager or Human Resources department.
  • Write, or email, your employer explaining your concerns and setting out what you would like to happen.
  • Refer your employer to the Equality Commission NI or the Labour Relations Agency website so they can check their legal obligations to you.
  • Speak to the Health and Safety Executive if you are concerned about your employer’s failure to comply with their health and safety obligations.
  • Raise a formal grievance in writing. Your employer should follow their grievance procedure which should be consistent with the Labour Relation Agency’s Code of Practice.
  • Seek free advice from the Equality Commission or your local Citizens’ Advice Bureau.
  • Ask a solicitor to write to your employer but this should be a last resort.

Do I have to attend a meeting with my employer to discuss my grievance?

 

Should I take notes at meetings to discuss my grievance and confirm what has been agreed?

 

Can I ask my employer why they treated me badly and do they have to respond?

 

When should I raise a formal grievance?

 

Do I have to raise a grievance before making a claim to an industrial tribunal?

 

What grievance procedure should my employer follow?

 

Can my employer dismiss me for making a complaint or raising a grievance?

 

What steps do I have to follow to take a claim to an industrial tribunal?

 
 


Where can I get advice?

 
  • If you are a union member, you should take advice from your union as soon as a problem arises. You can then discuss with the union what to do next.
  • You can seek free advice from the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland
  • Your local Citizen’s Advice Bureau
  • A specialist solicitor but you would probably have to pay.
  • The Equality Commission may be able to provide you with legal assistance. The Commission’s policy is available on their website: Equality Commission provision of legal advice and assistance (pdf). 


 
ECNI
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