Taking a job in a tiny business when pregnant

[Fromageetvino]

Ok so I know IABU but venting a little.
I took on my first FT employee in July this year (already have 1 x part timer). Three weeks in she disclosed that she is pregnant and is now off on Mat leave.

It’s an industry where recruiting is super difficult at the moment so getting a mat leave cover is likely to be practically impossible.

I know it’s her right etc, and of course have treated her fairly and she will be returning whenever she chooses to return.

But if I’m honest - it’s absolutely screwed our plans for any growth this year (on top of covid troubles).

While I know it’s “right” would you take on a job in a small business when pregnant?

Am prepared to get flamed here (hence the NC).

Hope 478 Should I work for a large company to avoid this affecting a small business?

Yes that would be preferable if you were going to announce the pregnancy 3 weeks after starting. As I said before, it’s just taking the piss and seems very entitled. BTW for the best depiction of the “entitled pregnant woman” see The Office Christmas Special.

I guess pregnant women shouldn't work, they should just sit at home on benefits.

@Blossom987

There are many types of leave entitlement available for both sexes (sick leave, bereavement, paternity, jury service etc). They vary in being paid / unpaid but none of them require you to reduce the amount of annual leave you are entitled to because you weren’t physically in work on those days. Because you are still employed, just like with maternity leave.

So those complaining about women on maternity leave accruing annual leave, just wondering how long you think someone has to be off work for before they have to give up their entitlement?

Do men have to give up any annual leave after taking two weeks paternity leave? What if they also take 4 weeks unpaid parental leave on top of that too? Or 6 weeks jury service?

Should we calculate every employees time off work for any reason (excluding annual leave) and pro rata it and deduct from annual leave? If you want people to have annual leave reduced for not actually working then it needs to apply to all, not just women. Unless you only like discriminating against women of course.

Actually yes. The way I see it paid leave should be a direct benefit in return for days worked. If you don't, for whatever reason, you don't get paid holiday. And why should you?

@bcc89

I guess pregnant women shouldn't work, they should just sit at home on benefits.

Or maybe they should run their own small businesses and see how easy it is to cope with pregnant employees. As I said before, the fact that pregnant women will by definition be women, doesn't make this issue one of misogyny. It just happens to be that all who cause difficulties for business owners due to pregnancies are women, but it's not the womanhood that's the issue.

The real issue is employees who don't show up, for whatever reason, leaving the employer to deal with the mess.

[quote Fromageetvino]@IntermittentParps am there Baileys deep so am going to go all Paxan:
ANSWWR THE QUESTIONS[/quote]
Please, help me understand, how have I not answered? This is a genuine question.