Colleague suffering from age discrimination at work

[jlroberts15]

My colleague at work is in her late 50's, her job title is Customer Service Manager at McDonalds in bluewater but she was (previously) treated as floor manager (i.e she used to manage the floor). However now she is being treated as if she was a crew member (doing menial tasks and spending all day serving on the tills). She has been at this store for 6 years and since the new store manager arrived along with 3 other staff (which he worked with previously at bromley), they have all treated her appalling. At one point the store manager actually said to her "we don't want you here, you are slow, incompetent and too old". This isn't even correct as she is one of the fastest tills and respected amongst the other crew. But is nothing compared to the nit picking she has had to endure for the past 6 months plus snidy comments behind her back. I understand that age discrimination legislation is coming in this year but how can she prove any of this. She has made a log of all conversations and wrote down exactly what has been said but is this enough? Another thing is she has spoke to head office but they are very friendly with the store manager so have ignored her complaints. What can she do???? She doesn't want to move stores but feels like she might have but the store manager and the head office cannot get away with this so please help??

[buildersmate]

As you obviously appreciate age discrimination is not illegal in the UK. It is poor practice though. She has done exactly the right thing by keeping notes of what was said and when. I think she has 2 choices. Either start a grievance using the procedure that I am fairly sure McDonalds will have. Or resign and claim constructive dismissal. This might get her money, but not her job back. It depends how long she intended to work for before retiring anyway and what the pension situation for her is. I'd go with the first option if she wants to improve her situation.

[spinchimp]

I bet she really appreciates you identifying her place of work on the internet - I hope the bluewater Mcdonalds manager doesn't see this!

[jlroberts15]

I don't care if he sees it or not; he shouldn't be able to get away with treating someone in such a dispicable manner!!

[spinchimp]

You might not care, but your colleague might. She might, for instance, be concerned that she could be subject to even worse treatment as a result - or has she given you the ok to identify her and broadcast her plight to all and sundry. (or is this really you rather than a 'colleague'?

[little h]

Damn those people! Anyway as one guy said the Goverment will not introduce the age discrimination law until Oct this year, however, in the meantime the is a code of practise on www.agepositive.gov.uk, not sure it will help as it is not statutory. Has she tried asking the manager for a meeting explaining the problem? Sometimes this works as all of these people are just bullies and hate people standing up to them. Tell her to write down what she wants to say and stay calm, oh and take a witness. Good luck to her!! People like that shouldn't be allowed to be managers!!

[malaise]

Start formal grievance procedures. Even if age discrimination isn't illegal, constructive dismissal and harassment ARE! If she states this in writing, and states that she is prepared to take matters further but would prefer to have things settled amicably without involving the law, then the head office will have to follow this up. They can't ignore formal procedures - so make sure that she states that she's only starting them due to previous complaints being dismissed by head office.