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Original poster

Likelihood of losing my job after this?

20 replies

jiep · 10/09/2022 18:29

I’m a single parent and ex has been v difficult with money. He’s a high earner but made me go through cms and he’s definitely manipulated pension etc as he works for a company and was on over 100k when together but I’m getting 400 a month only

Anyway my main concern is that during pregnancy I struggled, my performance was shit. It was mentioned a few times and then I ended up on long term sick leave from month four to maternity. I don’t have form for being off sick and been with the company 4 years. I got the sense that right before I went off sick they may have had a performance meeting.

Anyway I am on maternity and going back soon after 11 months. So I’ve not been at work for almost 18 months now. I am so so so worried they will take steps to fire me when I return. It’s a reasonably high paying job (3k ish a month) so they will not keep people they’re not happy with. Feel so sick.

OP posts:

Original poster

jiep · 10/09/2022 18:30

*may have asked for a performance meeting had I not gone off sick

OP posts:

lanbro · 10/09/2022 18:32

If you've been there 4 years then you have rights and they can't just sack you. INAL but presumably they can't sack you for pregnancy related illness either. You won't return and be sacked. Speak to the union people for advice

Nonews · 10/09/2022 18:35

There is a charity with advice for women on legal aspects of pregnancy/ maternity. I can’t remember what they are called but they have an advice line staffed by lawyers. Hopefully you can find them or someone else will know what they are called.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Families

ICanHideButICantRun · 10/09/2022 18:38

Nonews · 10/09/2022 18:35

I think it's Pregnant Then Screwed

36degrees · 10/09/2022 18:38

They're called pregnant then screwed, @Nonews .

Make sure you are in a union as well.

Nonews · 10/09/2022 18:45

I don’t recognize that name, tbh.

fruitbrewhaha · 10/09/2022 18:50

They can't fire you.

No one really know what they are thinking. There may indeed be someone at the company that think you should be managed out. However you may find they everyone is really pleased to have you back and pleased to see you a lot better.

I say the best thing you can do is look after yourself, it's going to be busy once you go back so eat well, exercise, make time for yourself etc. Sort childcare and have a back up plan if child is sick and give that person a house key so they can pick baby up form nursery or whatever. Just put your best foot forward and do your best. If they are total arseholes to you, then work out what to do, don't sorry about something that hasn't happened. Don't borrow trouble.

fruitbrewhaha · 10/09/2022 18:51

typos...................sorry

Charlotte123456789 · 10/09/2022 18:53

Nonews · 10/09/2022 18:35

Do you mean ACAS? They are very good and if you google them you will see the policies and guideline for maternity/paternity.

LadyLolaRuben · 10/09/2022 18:55

Just return OP with a fresh start and put in your best effort. Join a union just in case. If you're good at your job and return with a good attitude im sure it will be fine. Remember, they will have dealt with a lot and moved on from that since you were there, its just thats your last working memory.

girlmom21 · 10/09/2022 18:56

They've got no reason to sack you. If they wanted to they would have.

Sapphire387 · 10/09/2022 18:58

Hello, I am a trade union official. I'd say you'd likely have a good case for pregnancy/maternity discrimination if they tried to discipline you over pregnancy-related illness. I also think it is not particularly likely they will do this at this stage. I'd see it as starting with a clean slate - but I would join a union ASAP just in case.

ACAS are helpful for reading up about your rights. Pregnant then screwed are also excellent.

Original poster

jiep · 10/09/2022 19:01

@Sapphire387 thank you. It was more my worry about performance just before I went off sick. And I know a couple of things came up while I was off sick that they weren’t happy with. Nothing major but definitely things I shouldn’t have missed basically. They’re the things that are worrying me.

OP posts:

TheLightSideOfTheMoon · 10/09/2022 19:04

If they ask you just be honest.

Explain what you were going through and how things have changed.

It’ll be absolutely fine.

Original poster

jiep · 10/09/2022 19:06

I don’t know whether to contact my manager now and ask

OP posts:

FfeminyddCymraeg · 10/09/2022 19:10

Why was your performance shit before you went off sick? Was it definitely related to your pregnancy?

Sapphire387 · 10/09/2022 19:15

Ah ok, got you. I'd like to say I can predict entirely what they will do, but employers vary wildly in how 'decent' they are.

As far as it sounds to me, if there were not previous performance issues, these sound like they were related to the fact that you were unwell during pregnancy.

I can't go much further here, but a decent union rep or official would be able to go through this with you. Some of them do have rules about people joining the union with a 'pre-existing' case.

You've been there four years so they can't just kick you out - they would have to follow a process.

It's your call, but I honestly wouldn't 'court trouble' by reminding your manager of any issues. If they mention them, you can assert that you were unwell during pregnancy.

Do try and find (and read) any workplace policies that might be in place with regarding to performance, etc.

RaspberrySweeties · 10/09/2022 19:16

@jiep Whats your relationship like with your manager? It may be an idea to allay these fears and talk to her / him ahead of return?

SianNotAMan · 10/09/2022 19:20

jiep · 10/09/2022 19:01

I think that most companies nowadays are pretty good at understanding their responsibilities and your rights around maternity, and at making accommodations.

Try not to worry, the law does look after you quite well, and they are quite likely to be very happy to have you back.

If it does turn sour then the resources mentioned above are all good.

I think going in feeling combative and expecting the worst is best avoided if possible.

Trying81 · 10/09/2022 23:03

is it a large company?

If so, anything maternity related they will be very cautious around - even if it is performance related, and especially if it wasn’t an issue before the pregnancy as it could be seen as pregnancy related discrimination.

Maternity related sickness can’t be used as trigger points either - so that shouldn’t be any worry either.

Personally, if you’re able to then I’d be considering doing a couple of KIT days before you return fully. Try and schedule a one to one with your manager and have a chat about your return and how you’re feeling (bonus, you’ll get paid on top of SMP for those days too)

As a manager, I’d understand performance issues relating to maternity - especially if prior performance had always been good, and they should want to support your return to ensure it goes smoothly. But, if you do feel the return isn’t going well, then document everything and follow up any face to face / teams meetings with an email going over what was discussed, then you have a record.

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