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Post by snooperdooper on Feb 19, 2015 17:33:01 GMT
Advice needed! I asked about a groom/rider job I saw advertised on Facebook at a racing yard. I was told no because I'm a girl and I won't be strong enough.. The post has now been removed. Am I correct in thinking this is illegal?
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Post by Philippa on Feb 19, 2015 21:53:14 GMT
Oh dear. It could be classed as sexual discrimination unless they can prove that the position is only suited to a male for specific reasons, strength not being one of them.
Up to you but would you want to pursue a career with a yard such as this. Would love to know who it is by the way!!!!!
Lots of lovely yards out there to choose from. Where abouts are you in the country??
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Post by comanchediva on Feb 19, 2015 22:11:08 GMT
Employers cannot recruit staff based on their sex and I suspect they would find it very difficult to prove they had grounds to do this when equestrian sports are the only Olympic sports where men and women compete on equal terms! But as Philippa says would you want to work for these people?? Forget about them and walk away
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Post by farrellperdi on Feb 19, 2015 22:17:30 GMT
Employers cannot recruit staff based on their sex and I suspect they would find it very difficult to prove they had grounds to do this when equestrian sports are the only Olympic sports where men and women compete on equal terms! But as Philippa says would you want to work for these people?? Forget about them and walk away That isn't completly true. Im sure in this case it probably is! But caring/nursing jobs can be gender specific & there are other exceptions. But physical strength is not 1!
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Post by snooperdooper on Feb 20, 2015 10:15:50 GMT
I'm Cambridgeshire and the place is in Newmarket. I didn't think they were allowed to discriminate against sexes..
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Post by tabbyx on Feb 20, 2015 10:47:52 GMT
There's always yards in Newmarket and surrounding areas looking for stable lads and lasses, try yard and groom, careers in racing, RP jobs etc. If you're seriously interested in working on a racing yard take a look at this, brilliant course, my sister did hers at Newmarket and a friend did hers at Doncaster and both loved it, a lot of hard work but fully prepares you to work in a racing yard. brs.org.uk/courses/apprenticeship-level-2-diploma/
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Post by Louise Dixon on Feb 20, 2015 12:26:55 GMT
I'm Cambridgeshire and the place is in Newmarket. I didn't think they were allowed to discriminate against sexes.. You are only allowed to discriminate in very specific cases which meet set criteria, for example where it might be a job involving intimate personal care for someone where that person would be unhappy being assisted by someone of the opposite sex - NOT for the sort of job you have applied for. They are in the wrong, and I part of me thinks you should really pursue this, as it is appalling. On the other hand, it could involve a lot of time/effort/stress on your part which might be better applied to finding a job for decent people who will appreciate you. Even if it WAS allowed, which it isn't, the strength thing is ludicrous - not even considering any possible differences between males and females, the amount you are allowed to ask an employee to lift and so on nowadays under elf and safety is teeny. I think the right thing to do would be to take it further, but it entirely depends if you can be bothered with them any further. Personally, I probably couldn't. They are definitely in the wrong, though.
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Post by Em5 on Feb 20, 2015 23:35:05 GMT
Although in this situation it is illegal I personally would weigh up wether you want to work in Newmarket. The racing industry is a small community and if it's what your really wanting to do it would probably be best to forget about it and find a job for a decent employer. Best way to get a job in Newmarket is to visit the yards personally, meet the governor and ask if there's any jobs available and leave a copy of your cv.
I'm not saying it's right what they've done, but the fact that everyone knows everyone within racing if you take it further it may prevent your future employment chances with other yards. The racing industry is more often against weight than it is sex. For example if you weigh over 9st you won't be allowed to ride fast work
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Post by cariad on Mar 11, 2015 22:27:35 GMT
A friend of mine was a very well respected girl on a race yard. Allbeit she didn't work at Newmarket but did the same job the boys did. To my knowlage a few of the workers on her yard were women??
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Post by Philippa on Mar 12, 2015 5:08:10 GMT
I was 2nd travelling head lad (note head lad not lass, some things in racing are a bit old fashioned which doesn't help!!!!) in a very good yard in Middleham. I used to saddle up and give instructions to the jockeys in the trainers absence. I was respected by my employer who appreciated that I had a lifetime of equine knowledge prior to working for him and in different spheres.
Hope you've found a yard who respects you for your experience and willingness to work.
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