Case Study of Single Parent Discrimination in the UK

Case Study of Single Parent Discrimination in the UK Employment Case Study: Bridget - Background: Bridget, 40, from Carmarthenshire, Wales, divorced. Worked for seven years as administrator with same company. - Discrimination: Employer requested relocation and increase hours from (25 to 37). Refused flexible work despite colleagues getting it. - Impact: Made redundant. Unemployment. £6000 debt. Still repaying. - In her words: "I do believe they were trying to get rid of me because of my child caring responsibilities...It is unfair that single parents' rights aren't protected in law when we are a minority group. It is of the utmost importance that we do all we can to ensure single parents are supported adequately in the workplace." Registered Carer Case Study: Sarah - Background: Solo mother by choice and registered carer to her 3 year old son who is registered blind. - Discrimination: Unable to access 30 hours funded childcare as only available to registered carers with a working partner. - Impact: Unable to get respite or find work. Son misses out on one to one funded support through EHCP. - In her words: "I'm devastated knowing my son has been disadvantaged purely on the basis of my marital status". Long Term Impact Case Study: Louise - Background: Louise, 33, from Edinburgh, thirteen-year-old son. Works in museums. - Discrimination: Over time employer reduced hours due to childcare issues. Made redundant in Covid. - Impact: Unemployed, mental health challenges. Strain on relationship with son. He misses out on things. - In her words: "[My son] misses out on so much because I just can't afford it particularly extracurricular activities at school and school trips etc which he can't go on because they are too expensive." NRP Case Study: Dave - Background: Dave from Derbyshire, 2 children live with him 50% of the time - Discrimination: Charged bedroom tax for second bedroom. - Impact: Got into debt. Eviction notice. Breakdown. - In his words: "if a child stays with their parent they should be automatically exempt from the bedroom tax. The bedroom tax is intended to prevent homes with 'spare rooms' being left empty, but that room is for my children and they have the right to a room in their own home." Racism and SP Case Study: Nicole - Background: Nicole, Project Manager in tech when became pregnant. Agreed to three months maternity leave on the assumption she had semi-flexible work on her return. - Discrimination: Upon return the employer wouldn't allow flexible work, put her under increasing pressure. Wouldn't reconsider even when others given flexible working. - Impact: After two years working in this way, Nicole was exhausted both mentally and physically and left. - In her words: "They pushed me out because I was a black single mother and they didn't trust me." Lockdown Case Study: Susie - Background: Susie, 40, from Leeds, three-year-old son. Living with Μ.Ε. - Discrimination: No support during lockdown - needs disregarded as support network removed. Assumption of 2-parent families. - Impact: Struggled on, working and childcare. Long term health impact. - In her words: "We had to develop coping mechanisms, which were so saddening. Every night I put cereal in a Tupperware and milk in a feeder cup in the fridge. When [SON] woke up, would go get his breakfast and bring it to eat next to me in bed, watching something on the tablet, whilst I dozed or rested."