Been made redundant :(

[immghy]

I knew it was coming, but I'm pregnant and shielding so it makes it harder, I have no idea what the hell we are going to do now, as they are making me redundant a week before I hit 25 weeks for smp.
I have been in retail for the last 6 years, and no idea what to do now considering retail has been decimated.

So sorry you're going through this. I was made redundant when pregnant. Terrible timing. I had to claim the maternity allowance on my mat leave

@OneForTheJourney yeah I'm going to have to as well. I think the fact I'm shielding is also against me.

Could you negotiate for a further week so you get SMP? They claim most of the costs of that back from the government, and they may be willing to help.

I have all the sympathy for you. I was made redundant 2 weeks ago and it is awful. xxxx

Thanks @ramblingsonthego tried that, they have said no, got to be all complete by the end of February.

What horrible news, and I wonder if it might be legally dodgy, eg if they have made you redundant but not everyone else in similar positions that could be discrimination due to pregnancy. I don't know if you are in a union or anything or whether eg citizens advice could help look at the situation?

It's worth looking into Maternity Allowance which has looser qualifying criteria than SMP.

Sorry you're having to deal with this stress during pregnancy, it's harsh.

I don't know what I am going do to, I'm not qualified in anything, not got any qualifications minus GCSE's, and don't feel retail is gonna be a good sector to go back into, I want to provide for my baby, (I already have a 2 year old and am married)

The allowance. From what I can remember, is the same as SMP.

You may be eligible for other benefits and there's a grant for new mums too.

Does your notice period cover you up to the point that you qualify for SMP?

Really feel for you, I know so many women that this has happened to (myself included).

@Needallthesleep no it doesn't!

Are there some online sales jobs now we are all buying via internet? All those pop up boxes with customer service agents waiting to help you.

@waltzingparrot I would be happy to apply for them if I can find any, will have a look. I'm also happy to go and get some qualifications to help a career, I'm only 28 so do have time on my side.

Thanks to everyone that responded, I'm slightly calmer than I was

Is the whole store closing or not? If it is, then timing is not in any way related to your pregnancy. If not, worth trying to find out the selection basis and see if it is unfair. If you think so, worth getting advice.

@peak2021 no not whole store closing as my employer which is retail is classed as essential, basically I scored less than everyone else on their criteria, which was taking the last 12 months into account. (Which is brilliant as I have been shielding a lot of that) I can't appeal it as haven't quite hit the 2 years there.

@peak2021 it's not just me being made redundant. A few of us are.