Quote:
Originally Posted by Vicky.
Yeah I get that some people don't get/see it. I think sometimes unless you are part of the disadvantaged group its something you just won't get as everything does seem to be equal. Like, I will try to explain what I mean from the POV of a woman...who do have equal rights in law from men, but are still disadvantaged anyway. If I go for a job interview, I know that there is a quite large chance that I will be discriminated against for being the age I am and female, as employers think I may go off on maternity leave soon. Whilst they are not allowed to actually not pick me for that reason, it does happen and all they have to say is 'well the man was best for the job'. Its against the law to discriminate based on sex, but it happens and people just have ways around it. At the same time, I am at very large risk of sexual assault, simply for being female. Yes, it is against the law to sexually assault someone, but again, it happens, and a LOT.
I could go on and on about this but I figure this is probably enough and anymore will have me labelled a raving lunatic  There are so many different ways people experience discrimination that are not necessarily about the law being unequal. This is why I believe equity is better than equality. Equality totally ignores the various ways that people are still discriminated against. Equality is a great idea, but its just not feasible in reality, if everyone started off on equal footing, then it would be different, but they do not. Sometimes treating everyone equal is the most unfair thing you can do.
Edited to add. I don't walk around feeling sorry for myself because I am a woman and may face discrimination or be attacked for something I cannot change mind. But I do acknowledge that I am likely to be disadvantaged due to my sex.
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This happened to me just after I gained my qualifications as a mature student.
I had years of workplace experience as well and applied for a job in London and went for an interview. The man looked at my CV asked about my work and at the end of the interview said I was too old to lead his young team, this was his only comment. I immediately said he couldn't say this and went to the local job centre for advice.
They found out later that he employed a man older than me with no qualifications. I took it to tribunal where he said I had not enough experience and supplied my CV with the whole page of my working life, missing.
I had his solicitor ring me with threats saying my claim was malicious and I would be liable for high court costs. I told him to get lost or I would report him for harassment.
On the morning of the tribunal, they conceded without going to court. I refused to accept their first measly offer but accepted a second.
This is just my experience of how a woman of an age was treated in the workplace.
I spent some of the money on a lovely trip to Hong Kong, Thailand and Singapore, I sent him a postcard saying thanks