April 25, 2005 at 1:12 pm
BA Discrimination Case
AFP
A former British Airways pilot who wanted to work part-time while she looked after her child has won a case of sexual discrimination against the airline.
BA launched an immediate appeal against Friday’s decision by an employment tribunal, warning it could have “wide-reaching consequences” for the sector.
Jessica Starmer, 26, said BA refused her request for a 50-percent cut in her working hours after returning from maternity leave last year.
The airline cited safety reasons for the decision, saying that her hours could not be cut in half until she completed the required amount of flying hours as a pilot.
“This case is about safety not gender,” BA said in an official statement following the jugement.
Pilots were required at least 2,000 flying hours experience — around three years of full-time flying — before they were allowed to work at that reduced level, BA added.
Starmer, from Dorset in south west England, whose husband is also a BA pilot, said she was “delighted” with the result which would allow her to spend more time with her one-year-old daughter Beth.
BA employs around 3,000 pilots, including 152 women. A total of 72 pilots work part-time, including 18 women, of which 10 work the 50-percent reduced hours.
I have to go with B.A on this issue as it is safety related. What does everyone else think ?
By: EK. - 26th April 2005 at 14:48
**’Sexism in the extreme’ was the judges expression. I agree.** I agree with that if the 2nd vershion is true.
By: EK. - 26th April 2005 at 14:48
**’Sexism in the extreme’ was the judges expression. I agree.** I agree with that if the 2nd vershion is true.
By: Ren Frew - 26th April 2005 at 14:42
‘Sexism in the extreme’ was the judges expression. I agree.
1L.
I have to agree with that OneLeft.
By: Ren Frew - 26th April 2005 at 14:42
‘Sexism in the extreme’ was the judges expression. I agree.
1L.
I have to agree with that OneLeft.
By: Arabella-Cox - 26th April 2005 at 13:31
You either want special treatment or you want equality… either is fair and either is logical. What is illogical and unfair is wanting both. How experienced is her husband and will he want half hours to spend more time with a child which is also presumably his?
Who is going to hire a married woman now?
By: Arabella-Cox - 26th April 2005 at 13:31
You either want special treatment or you want equality… either is fair and either is logical. What is illogical and unfair is wanting both. How experienced is her husband and will he want half hours to spend more time with a child which is also presumably his?
Who is going to hire a married woman now?
By: andrewm - 26th April 2005 at 11:57
Guys we had this thread when the case first went to tribunal. I will repeat what I told you at the time, as the full facts are as ever not being made clear in the press.
The issue was in fact that BA changed the rules to suit their needs.
The Starmers based their timing to have a family in part on the fact that the rules allowed for her to reduce her working hours to make childcare easier. She made her application for part-time while on maternity leave, which was approved. She later recieved a letter telling her that due to a change of rules her part-time contract would not be honoured. A manager then later admitted that the change was made to discourage the growing numbers of female pilots from applying for part-time contracts.
‘Sexism in the extreme’ was the judges expression. I agree.
1L.
I thought i heard there was more to it….
If the press version is true it is surprising BA lost…..
By: andrewm - 26th April 2005 at 11:57
Guys we had this thread when the case first went to tribunal. I will repeat what I told you at the time, as the full facts are as ever not being made clear in the press.
The issue was in fact that BA changed the rules to suit their needs.
The Starmers based their timing to have a family in part on the fact that the rules allowed for her to reduce her working hours to make childcare easier. She made her application for part-time while on maternity leave, which was approved. She later recieved a letter telling her that due to a change of rules her part-time contract would not be honoured. A manager then later admitted that the change was made to discourage the growing numbers of female pilots from applying for part-time contracts.
‘Sexism in the extreme’ was the judges expression. I agree.
1L.
I thought i heard there was more to it….
If the press version is true it is surprising BA lost…..
By: OneLeft - 26th April 2005 at 00:15
Guys we had this thread when the case first went to tribunal. I will repeat what I told you at the time, as the full facts are as ever not being made clear in the press.
The issue was in fact that BA changed the rules to suit their needs.
The Starmers based their timing to have a family in part on the fact that the rules allowed for her to reduce her working hours to make childcare easier. She made her application for part-time while on maternity leave, which was approved. She later recieved a letter telling her that due to a change of rules her part-time contract would not be honoured. A manager then later admitted that the change was made to discourage the growing numbers of female pilots from applying for part-time contracts.
‘Sexism in the extreme’ was the judges expression. I agree.
1L.
By: OneLeft - 26th April 2005 at 00:15
Guys we had this thread when the case first went to tribunal. I will repeat what I told you at the time, as the full facts are as ever not being made clear in the press.
The issue was in fact that BA changed the rules to suit their needs.
The Starmers based their timing to have a family in part on the fact that the rules allowed for her to reduce her working hours to make childcare easier. She made her application for part-time while on maternity leave, which was approved. She later recieved a letter telling her that due to a change of rules her part-time contract would not be honoured. A manager then later admitted that the change was made to discourage the growing numbers of female pilots from applying for part-time contracts.
‘Sexism in the extreme’ was the judges expression. I agree.
1L.
By: EK. - 25th April 2005 at 18:11
Sex discrimination? anyone ells who has a baby will have the meternity leave then return to work. Either stick to the contract or find a new airline.
By: EK. - 25th April 2005 at 18:11
Sex discrimination? anyone ells who has a baby will have the meternity leave then return to work. Either stick to the contract or find a new airline.
By: Bmused55 - 25th April 2005 at 16:03
BA’s side. It’s all in their contract. She had her maternity leave… either fly and get child minding or find a job that suites you better.
Its not BAs fault she and her husband decided on a family, knowing FULL well they were both pilots on a rotational shift pattern.
By: Bmused55 - 25th April 2005 at 16:03
BA’s side. It’s all in their contract. She had her maternity leave… either fly and get child minding or find a job that suites you better.
Its not BAs fault she and her husband decided on a family, knowing FULL well they were both pilots on a rotational shift pattern.
By: DME - 25th April 2005 at 15:40
With the amount of money she earns she should be able to afford a childminder, having kids is no excuse not to do the work you are employed to do.
And at the end of the day, it could be bad for women wanting to get into this line of work because airlines will just assume that they will want to have brats and deny them the chances they deserve to pursue a career as an airline pilot. All too often companies have used the brat excuse for not promoting women, not all women want to be saddled with brats and those who do should make provisions themselves.
I side with BA, she signed a contract if her needs do not fit it with a Multi national then she should look elsewhere.
Comet, you say with the amount of money she earns…… I don’t think it’s about money. Maybe she wants to see her kid.
dme
By: DME - 25th April 2005 at 15:40
With the amount of money she earns she should be able to afford a childminder, having kids is no excuse not to do the work you are employed to do.
And at the end of the day, it could be bad for women wanting to get into this line of work because airlines will just assume that they will want to have brats and deny them the chances they deserve to pursue a career as an airline pilot. All too often companies have used the brat excuse for not promoting women, not all women want to be saddled with brats and those who do should make provisions themselves.
I side with BA, she signed a contract if her needs do not fit it with a Multi national then she should look elsewhere.
Comet, you say with the amount of money she earns…… I don’t think it’s about money. Maybe she wants to see her kid.
dme
By: Comet - 25th April 2005 at 15:28
With the amount of money she earns she should be able to afford a childminder, having kids is no excuse not to do the work you are employed to do.
And at the end of the day, it could be bad for women wanting to get into this line of work because airlines will just assume that they will want to have brats and deny them the chances they deserve to pursue a career as an airline pilot. All too often companies have used the brat excuse for not promoting women, not all women want to be saddled with brats and those who do should make provisions themselves.
By: Comet - 25th April 2005 at 15:28
With the amount of money she earns she should be able to afford a childminder, having kids is no excuse not to do the work you are employed to do.
And at the end of the day, it could be bad for women wanting to get into this line of work because airlines will just assume that they will want to have brats and deny them the chances they deserve to pursue a career as an airline pilot. All too often companies have used the brat excuse for not promoting women, not all women want to be saddled with brats and those who do should make provisions themselves.
By: MINIDOH - 25th April 2005 at 13:37
BA’s side. She signed a contract, and now she can’t stick to it. Thats her problem, not theirs. Whats worse is that she has announced she is pregnant AGAIN! Takes the mickey a bit.
By: MINIDOH - 25th April 2005 at 13:37
BA’s side. She signed a contract, and now she can’t stick to it. Thats her problem, not theirs. Whats worse is that she has announced she is pregnant AGAIN! Takes the mickey a bit.