Redundancy during maternity leave after arguing with managers

I faught my redundancy when I came back from mat leave. I signed off sick with stress. Wrote a 6 page letter that took their lawyers 6 months to unpick and come up with a settlement of a years pay. Fight it. It's not fair and you can't afford not to.
I was paid for the 6 months off sick at full pay. Not aurw of your company policy.
I found a new job within 2 months of settling.
I was not the only person at riak but ai was the only one back from mat leave

Tribunals are generally not worth it. A friend of mine is going through one.

the older I’ve got the more I’ve seen people get fucked over. In all honesty once management have decided they don’t want you it’s not worth fighting except for a settlement.

Hi Op, just wanted to offer some words of support as something similar happened to me. I was made redundant shortly after disclosing my pregnancy. I focused all my energy on securing new employment and got a new job within a month, plus 3 months pay from my old job in the end so wasn't too bad. I didn't have the energy to fight.

I ultimately left that job shortly after mat leave for a new one, so whilst a little scary entering a new workplace it also meant that I came in fresh and no-one knew about the baby for months (I was wary of being discriminated against, but turned out new employer was good) and got a double promotion within my first year back.

Essentially my advice is that whilst you could fight this, and could win, your energy probably would be better spent focusing on your next career move and getting promoted at a new job if you genuinely think your current employer is discriminating against you.

I know this means the employer "wins" but I've seen friends go to tribunal and the level of stress didn't seem worth what they gained in the end. Again, I think this isn't morally right, but just wanted to be realistic about what the outcome may be

Do they have suitable alternative roles that you could do?

Sorry to hear this. I lost my job 20 years ago when I was pregnant and we were stuffed in the short term. I agree with talking to pregnant then screwed. And see if you have legal cover on your house insurance.

Tbh having an huge argument about your lack of promotion wasn't professional. If you think you had a case you should have presented it and asked for a review of the evidence. However if you think your redundancy status is linked to your pregnancy then you need to make a claim. I'd start with acas and pregnant then screwed.

I voted Yanbu because good for you for standing up for yourself when you felt overlooked for promotion - so many people would have taken the easy option and not fought back. Not that either option would have been "wrong" - but women in particular are overlooked, and pregnant women are discriminated against all the time and it's often very difficult to prove.

There's no saying that you wouldn't be in this same situation without going through the grievance process, though.

It all seems deeply unfair. I'd echo the union thing if that's a possibility. But also, tell your husband not to blame you for your company's unfair and unethical practices. That's on them, not you.
Hope things work out.

I feel your injustice and know it well myself.

I always said I'd stand my ground by when it came to it i smiled and ate shit (and avoided redundancy)

Having kids has ruined more than womans careers in their current company through no fault of their own...even when they did the "right" things.

Your dh

You are where you are - your dh is being deeply unhelpful.

My advice.

1. Do your cv
2. Sort childcare and Meet up for coffee with anyone you know heading up some of these equivalent roles and dont be too fussy

1. Aggressively start looking for other jobs in case.
2. If they do offer you redundancy just get a lawyer and haggle the settlement dont fight it. Take the cash and run

If you stay in the company.... know it's temporary and you chose this. For now.

When you go back the baby will still be sleeping badly and it will just tide you ove until you are strong in role and sleeping better then you can find the right job where you are "supposed to be".

Good luck!

It’s done and no going back, so I wouldn’t dwell on what happened before. You might have been made redundant regardless.

Are you in a union at all? You have some protections while on maternity leave, including not having to compete for suitable alternative roles, where available.

You may not need big funds. Your home insurance may have legal cover - my friend used that against a massive company.
Another friend represented herself .

The way to fight this is to use the law against them. If they want to get rid of you, they will find a way, but you can try and pressure them into a decent settlement at least.