They didn't just say the quiet part out loud, they wrote it down. I hope she takes them to the cleaners.

You worked that job 1.5 years? Then it should be yours, that should have been a no-brainer. It makes no sense, to give the promotion to someone just because they have a family. If everyone did that, those who would like to start a family would never stand a chance of doing so! I'm not in the USA, but is this preferment of employees with families similar to earmarking a number of jobs for minorities? Don't get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with having a family, but I am a strong believer that the person who is right for the job should get it, irrespective of race, cultural background, sexual orientation, hobbies, number of pets they have or whatever else is not important to the job. I'm sorry this happened to you; it must feel like a slap in your face. By all means, go to court and sue the pants off of them!

OP also probably missed out in opportunities because people thought she might have children soon and go on mat leave. I didn't get a promotion (sadly this was not in writing) because I moved in with my partner and the perception was we'd have kids soon, and it was less risky to go with someone who's kids were a bit older.

Make them fall hard! I hope they were stupid enough to add "if you were a single man with no child that wouldn't be an issue". I totally agree with the comment saying Act your wage. If someone asks you to do more, tell them you'll be happy to oblige if you get the money that comes with it and ask them to write it down.

This is the same reason companies used to pay men more than women. AND hire men instead of women. Because a man had a family to support . It was wrong then and it is wrong now

Similar issues. I had to teach the earliest classes and the latest classes and was verbally told it was b/c I didn't have kids. I wish I knew then and what I know now and I would have gotten it in writing. I verbally complained it wasn't fair and the Christian card got played (I am Xn and had this happen at 2 Xn universities) and more. "Wouldn't Christ want us to help each other? If you want to teach here full time, you need to show commitment. To receive a good recommendation, you need to show collegiality."

Back before there were anti-discrimination laws, my mother worked for a large insurance company. She was rising quite nicely until she applied for a promotion and was told "Sorry, mam, but we've promoted you as high as we promote a woman." She immediately gave her two weeks notice (she needed that money) and made the next two weeks more interesting for management than any one there could have imagined.

so absurd. the OP sounds like they are from the UK so i don't know the laws there but i hope they have recourse. it's never for your employer to decide to pay you based on your expenses because they never know the whole story. i don't have kids but i do have multiple chronic illnesses that can get very expensive. i have EXCELLENT health insurance and my first prescription copay every year is around $1500.00. if my employer paid or promoted me based on that need they'd be discriminating against a healthy person who didn't get the same compensation for work of the same value. employment compensation and status should only be based on your work quality, meeting standards and goals, etc. job related things. having/not having a family or being medically expensive/healthy or being queer/straight are not job related and shouldn't factor into job things.

Which is why my previous and my current employer have no idea if I'm married or have kids. It's none of their business, but I have used hints (usually about my nieces and nephews) that led them to believe I might have some.

I love everybody telling her to take legal action. It won't work. All they have to say it was between her and the woman with kids and they decided to give it to the woman because she had kids there's nothing discriminatory about that they have every right to make any decision they choose it's their business