Employment Tribunal Case Management Discussion

Former Member

Hi guys,

It's been ages since I've posted about this but to cut a long story short. I began a case with the employment tribunal because I feel that the reason my previous employer dismissed me (absence due to pregnancy sickness) is the result to discrimination because I'm pregnant. The full story and lots of updates are in this thread
http://vbulletin.thesite.org/showthread.php/151750-pregnancy-related-sickness-at-work

I havent updated recently about my employment tribunal claim because there hasn't really been anything to update with. I got a letter today from the employment tribunal headed 'Notice of Case Management Discussion'. Without typing the entire letter out it seems to be more of a discussion with an employment judge about how the actual hearing should go, what the actual issues are and any evidence/witnesses needed.

I have two worries. The first is that it's scheduled for 15 January (my due date is 31 January). It says in the letter that the tribunal may transfer my case at short notice to be heard a another hearing cenre within the region and it's been given a time allocation of 2 hours. It's in another region of Kent so it'd probably take me over an hour to get there by two trains. We don't have a car and there is no one who could drive me. I think it's do-able because I'm more than likely to be overdue as it's my first baby but I think I'd still be cautious about going out and about at that time.

My next worry is that through googling it seems to be a private 'informal' discussion with the employment judge which I could probably deal with. But the letter has been forwarded to my previous employer's soliciter too. I'm just imagining it being like the films and being ripped apart by her which I dont think I can deal with. Does anyone have any experience of a Case Management Discussion and what it's likely to entail? Should I be worried?

The obvious answer is to ring up and ask but I thought I'd do some probing about online beforehand

Former Member

Obviously I would wait for further advice from someone more in the know, but I suspect that any solicitor that tries to rip apart a heavily pregnant and very expectant mother, would instantly become a complete throbber in the judges eyes. At least I would anyway.

Former Member

I'd hope not. This seems to be a preliminary thing before the actual hearing where I guess the solicter can rip me apart :nervous:

I just rang the tribunal and they said I can be accompanied by someone for moral support or even represented by someone that isn't legally trained so my mum is most likely going to be coming with me. Which kinda takes the fear of going into early labour on the train on my own away

Former Member

Honestly I would recommend that you speak to the Equality and Human Rights Commission, who have a specialist advice line. They're wonderful and I use them when I get stuck. There are specific rules in the Tribunal and it's best to get some specialist advice, although these sorts of hearings tend to be heard "in chambers" (essentially in the judge's office) and judges are usually sympathetic to litigants in person. But best not to muddle through when the EHRC can assist for free.

Former Member

Good advice Arctic Roll

I just Googled to find the details of that line and it seems to have changed slightly, but from the description here it sounds like you can still call them for advice, clementine.

It's now called the Equality Advisory and Support Service (EASS):

Phone: 0808 800 0082

http://www.equalityadvisoryservice.com/

Good luck and let us know how you get on
Spanner

Former Member

Oops, didn't realise that. I've been out of the loop. Don't use them, Sitel are shit!

Former Member

Thanks both. I'll give them a ring to see if they can give any more guidance. I feel a bit better now because my mum is coming with me and she won't let me get steam-rollered by anyone.

Former Member

Just thought I'd briefly update here on the whole employment tribunal/ pregnancy discrimination case.

We reached a settlement

Obviously I cant go into details but I'm pretty chuffed and don't have to go to the case review now or the rigermarole of a tribunal. Hurrah

Thanks for everyone's help. High five to AR too

Former Member

Well mine's a pint of Deuchars IPA if you're offering

Former Member

Arctic Roll wrote: »

Well mine's a pint of Deuchars IPA if you're offering

I transferred the money to JsT and he's promised to buy you a pint. Don't let him tell you any different!!

Former Member

Glad to hear it's all settled without too much stress.

Former Member

thanks SM! your advice was appreciated too I'm glad too

Former Member

I hope you bought battlecat a treat!

Indrid Cold

Well, that sounds good Congrats!