Experienced direct discrimination but my employer is Ministry of Justice

Sabz85
Sabz85 Online Community Member Posts: 3 Listener
edited September 2023 in Work
Hello everyone

I have experienced direct discrimination and failure to make reasonable adjustments at work, my employer is the Ministry of Justice who are responsible for conducting Employment Tribunals! I’m really scared that no lawyer will want to take on my case as the MoJ have all the legal know how and judges at their disposal! I don’t even want to attend any tribunals in my region as my employer has connections with all the tribunal judges in 7 different areas. I don’t know what to do or how to proceed I feel like this is a David vs Goliath case and I’m going to be portrayed like some unhinged pathological liar because the people who have done the wrong doing are “loved” by everyone 
any advice for me….?

Comments

  • chiarieds
    chiarieds Online Community Member Posts: 17,155 Championing
    I'm hoping one of these links may help:

  • Jimm_Alumni
    Jimm_Alumni Scope alumni Posts: 5,713 Championing
    Considering how often the current government has gotten into legal trouble and lost there seem to be a lot of lawyers happy to take on the government.

    Also, while I am not a lawyer myself, and this is anecdotal as well, I have a few family members who are lawyers. I've actually asked a similar question before and always received the same answer. A lawyer is doing their job, whether defending or on the side of the plaintiff. And there's very rarely animosity or worry of repercussions going either way. I know it's anecdotal but I hope it reassures you somewhat.

    Chiarieds has already provided good links, if I find more myself I will post them here for you :) 

    I know it's incredibly stressful, do you have family or friends around to support you?
  • Sabz85
    Sabz85 Online Community Member Posts: 3 Listener
    Thank you for your reassurance, it truly is an immensely stressful process. I only have my husband for support, we don’t qualify for legal aid as we have savings (supposed to be using for privately funded IVF treatment in November) I feel like this has impacted all our future plans which are time sensitive due to the nature of what it is. I feel overwhelmed, I can see several firms that specialise in disability discrimination and employment law but I don’t know how to select someone. If it leads to tribunal as mentioned I cannot attend any of the courts that fall under my local jurisdiction do I go for a solicitor in another area I.e London where I do have some family support and ask for proceedings to be transferred there. Just navigating the process is arduous in it self due to fatigue/exhaustion/brain-fog I’m either sleeping a lot, not sleeping at all and just generally in emotionally exasperated state which all doesn’t help my flare-up! 
    Sorry if what I’m writing is coming off as gibberish, trying my absolute best to keep mentally well so I can be coherent and deal with things.
  • Jimm_Alumni
    Jimm_Alumni Scope alumni Posts: 5,713 Championing
    edited September 2023
    No, it's totally understandable. In fact, my partner is going through exactly what you are going through right now, she was recently "dismissed for capability" without warning. I see how much it's affecting her and I imagine it's much the same for yourself. You are free to vent and rant here, do not worry about how you're coming off. 

    I think the first port of call would be to speak to ACAS perhaps? They are there for impartial advice about employee rights such as dismissals. Perhaps they can also give advice regarding getting a lawyer with your unique situation, that part I am less sure on. 

    Keep us updated with how everything is going if you don't mind? We'll try to support in anyway we can, even if it's just you need someone to vent with.

Categories