Redundancy whilst pregnant

[Becca1818]

I posted in employment issues yesterday but didn't have much response.
Hoping you ladies may be able to help.
So today I have been made redundant. I am 28 weeks pregnant. I'm still in shock. I'm having to fill out a form to apply for my outstanding pay for this month so god knows what's going to happen. I guess my first port of call is to speak to citizens advice and then get down the job centre. As far as I can tell I am still eligible for my smp which is due to start on January 23rd but what I don't know is if I try and get a temp job between now and then will i lose my eligibility for smp as I wouldn't have been there 26 weeks or been employed on the qualifying week. Does any one know what I should do?

[TheBooMonster]

I'm not sure how that would work, I have it in my head if you did find another job you would end up on maternity allowance instead, but I could be wrong. I would get on the phone to the SMP helpline (think they're part of revenue and customs? I have tired brain fog but google should give you the number), my situation was little different to yours as I was already on maternity leave when I was made redundant, but they were fab especially as the insolvency firm who were dealing with the company didn't have a damned clue what to do with me, they got me sorted out as quickly as possible and took over my maternity SMP payments, I expect they deal with redundancy issues a lot so they should know what your best course of action is.

[Trapper]

ACAs advice here for managers here. Sorry you are in this situation. www.acas.org.uk/media/pdf/r/f/Managing-redundancy-for-pregnant-employees-or-those-on-maternity-leave-accessible-version.pdf

[Becca1818]

Thanks both. Will look into all my options

[Fattyfattyyumyum]

Once you've qualified for SMP your employer has to pay it. Even if you got another job now, your old employer has to pay SMP

[GailLondon]

Hi Becca, so sorry to hear this.
Do you think the redundancy is genuine? i.e have they made everyone in your role redundant or is it just you?

[Becca1818]

It's definitely genuine as they called 5 of us into the same meeting. Come the end of the month they won't be paying us and we have to claim our wages from the insolvency agency which is devastating.

I called the hmrc who told me that my smp will have to start 11 weeks early which is rubbish.

I'm having to go to citizens advice and the job centre which I have never had to do before which is making me very

[PeppermintInfusion]

I would also work out what the difference is between mat allowance and SMP.
I was made redundant while pg (but it was too early to claim smp from the anyway) however the difference between my SMP and the MA wasn't that much so it made sense for me to find another job.
I have a friend who it was better for her to stay unemployed til after the birth as she was entitled to more benefits etc.
I would get advice from somewhere like CAB about what you might be entitled to, and phone the SMP helpline also to find out the exact legalities of it.