Hi, I'm hoping someone who knows about the labour laws might be of some help as I can't find anything on-line relating to this situation.
My sister-in-law has been working for a smallish (shops in two diff locations) family run company for the last eighteen months. She was made permanent a year ago but not 'officially' ie she never had a contract of employment as such.
Her boss learned of her pregnancy a few weeks ago and almost immediately cut her hours to two days a week from 6 days. Then yesterday she learned that he is cutting her to just one day - whatever day he chooses so she needs to be available for all of them.
He's told her its nothing to do with her pregnancy merely that he has to cut back because business is 'slow', yet on the same week of telling her this he advertised in the newspaper for new staff and has been interviewing prospective candidates right in front of her nose! :mad:
Think it is fairly obvious that he is being discriminatory because of her pregnancy. Does she have any rights at all in this regard? She is young (25) and the pay is just about minimum wage so she can't afford to get a solicitor involved and doesn't really know where to turn to find out her options. Also difficult for her to up and leave as she is due in three months time. Naturally this is v upsetting for her and seems v unfair and outrageous to me!
Is anyone aware of such a thing occuring? And due to the fact that she didn't have a contract does this mean she doesn't have a leg to stand on anyway?
My sister-in-law has been working for a smallish (shops in two diff locations) family run company for the last eighteen months. She was made permanent a year ago but not 'officially' ie she never had a contract of employment as such.
Her boss learned of her pregnancy a few weeks ago and almost immediately cut her hours to two days a week from 6 days. Then yesterday she learned that he is cutting her to just one day - whatever day he chooses so she needs to be available for all of them.
He's told her its nothing to do with her pregnancy merely that he has to cut back because business is 'slow', yet on the same week of telling her this he advertised in the newspaper for new staff and has been interviewing prospective candidates right in front of her nose! :mad:
Think it is fairly obvious that he is being discriminatory because of her pregnancy. Does she have any rights at all in this regard? She is young (25) and the pay is just about minimum wage so she can't afford to get a solicitor involved and doesn't really know where to turn to find out her options. Also difficult for her to up and leave as she is due in three months time. Naturally this is v upsetting for her and seems v unfair and outrageous to me!
Is anyone aware of such a thing occuring? And due to the fact that she didn't have a contract does this mean she doesn't have a leg to stand on anyway?