I’ve had 3 week off work during pregnancy in one go - worried about being fired

[Blin5555]

As well as the odd day here and there. But at the moment I have absolutely crushing depression. I can’t seem to cope. Will they use this to get rid of me before maternity or maybe even straight after? So worried

I'm not too knowledgable in that area but didn't want to read and run. Surely they can't fire you it must be against the law or something. I hope you get better answers. Please take care of yourself x

You cannot be dismissed if the illness is pregnancy related but prolonged or repeated absence can be subject to review under the sickness policy. If you are on ssp during your qualifying period for smp it may affect your maternity pay. How long have you been employed there?

Depending how far along you they can make you begin your maternity leave early.

Our of interest what's the usual sickness line on this?
I had COVID and also had some days off earlier in the year.
Is there a trigger?

I thought these days its hardly possible to fire you over illness and especially mental health.? They would perhaps call you in an attendance management meeting and give you options such as part time of flexible hours.
Where I work there is deifnitely a high absence rate. You will have staff that have weeks off at a time then back for a week so they can claim their full sick pay again! Its absurd!
I also know and was involved in a colleague that was coming in late almost every day and signing down the wrong time. It got taken to a disciplinary on the ground of fraudulent behaviour. She was convinced she would be sacked, the union even told her to resign herself then all of a sudden she had brought in a letter from her GP that claimed she jad been suffering with mental health and in the midst of an abusive relationship, had been referred to womans aid.
Sounded like she was embarrassed to bring this up at work but she was let off and still works there till this day.

What area do you work in?

It is very common for people to lose their jobs because of ill health. You lose it because of lack of capability. With Pregnancy related sickness, such as disability related sickness, you are protected in law, but that does not mean you can’t lose your job. However, three weeks is very little.

They can't fire if it is a pregnancy related illness. If you've been signed off though, have they deemed it as pregnancy related? I'm not sure if that's something the doc needs to do?

As someone touched on as well, if you're receiving SSP it may affect your Maternity Pay.

How far along are you? If you're off with a pregnancy related illness they can force you to start your Mat leave at 36 weeks

Maternity Action - Sckness during pregnancy

If your illness is related to pregnancy, your employer has to record it seperately to other sick leave, and it can not be used against you. I had 8 weeks off in both my pregnancies. Maternity Action have a good helpline.

Sickness absence related to pregnancy has to be recorded separately and depression - which is inextricable from the hormone load your body is carrying - is definitely not going to be grounds. It is an indicator that you should take care though because pregnancy and post-pregnancy needs careful around sadness. Some of the worry you are feeling may be related anxiety too.

Speak to the doctor, Maternity Action and HR, so they cannot say they haven't been informed.

Can you get your sick note to clearly state ‘antenatal depression’? That way it’s definitely pregnancy related sickness from a legal standpoint and you can’t be penalised.