Asking to be made redundant instead of going down the maternity discrimination route? Advice needed!

[Poppysmummy92]

Hello!

Some back story -

I joined my employer in December 2020. In January 2021 I told my manager I was 20 weeks pregnant and after that it went VERY downhill. My manager left unexpectedly and didn’t tell anyone, so for weeks I was trying to find out what I was meant to be doing and who I was reporting to as at the time it was a 100% WFH environment so I was completely on my own. I didn’t really get any contact from anyone until March 2021 when I finally was given a stand in manager who swiftly hired my maternity cover and I went on maternity leave in April 2021. In October 2021 I had an email saying they had appointed a new manager and he would be in touch but I didn’t hear anything. In November 2021 I emailed my contact and said could someone please contact me as I was due back in January 2022 and I had no idea who my manager was and what I was coming back too but nobody replied. In December 2021 I raised a formal complaint with HR as I genuinely believe as soon as I told my employer I was pregnant they wrote me off, and the communication since I’ve been off has been shocking.

So anyway, fast forward to today and the new manager has finally been in touch. He was prompted off the back of my grievance! He called and said he was sorry and he would look at options for my return and look into the grievance. I didn’t have any review meetings during my time at the company so I’ve never been given the opportunity to tell anyone that the job is not for me and it’s not something I want to return to and I told the new manager I wasn’t keen to return. Again, he has vanished and isn’t replying to my emails!

I get the feeling he is waiting for me to get fed up and resign. But I want some sort of compensation for the stress they put me under and their incredibly poor practice. I really want to ask them to make me redundant, but is that even possible?!

I’m just wondering if anyone had any advice on what I can do. The grievance route will be very very long winded, I work in employee relations I know the process to an extent. I just want to make it easier for everyone and leave, but not empty handed!

Any advice I’d be forever grateful this is causing me daily stress!!

This is no way linked to redundancy, that’s an employers decision not the employees. From what you have said you have not been discriminated against. There has just been a lack of communication from your employer, which as far as we are aware has not impacted you in anyway other than a little uncertainty, that you could have tried to solved by calling HR, rather than raising a grievance. This is particularly true when you don’t like the job or want to return! Sorry if this sounds harsh but you have no claim to anything, resign and get on with your life!

You give woman a bad name , I think it’s morally wrong to accept a job and then tell them your pregnant once you start , they could’ve given it to someone else . They don’t owe you anything

So you was there for about a month before you announced you were pregnant, then went on maternity leave. Now you don't want to go back but you want compensation? Mmmm

@Poppysmummy92

Just thought I’d update all of you who were SO mean on this post saying I was all sorts of terrible things.

I went to an employer lawyer who looked at the case, agreed I have been discriminated and asked my employer for a settlement agreement which they agreed immediately and I’ve had many emails of apologies since for their conduct.

So boo to you all, I wasn’t being dramatic I was genuinely wronged!

Did everyone clap as well?

@Poppysmummy92

Just thought I’d update all of you who were SO mean on this post saying I was all sorts of terrible things.

I went to an employer lawyer who looked at the case, agreed I have been discriminated and asked my employer for a settlement agreement which they agreed immediately and I’ve had many emails of apologies since for their conduct.

So boo to you all, I wasn’t being dramatic I was genuinely wronged!

Well, I hope its a sizeable settlement because I can't see companies will be keen to take you on again after this little debacle.

Goodness how unusual to receive multiple expressions of regret after a settlement. What an extraordinary experience you’ve had.

What a joke!!!!

@RicaDaVidaLoca

Ahh, you’re update makes me so happy! I had to join MN to comment as much.

Firstly, I’m pleased that you got the outcome that you were after. People on this thread were very quick to come out with baseless comments about how ‘you’re the reason women struggle in the workplace’ etc, but neglected to consider how this company will (or at the very least, should) have learnt a stark lesson in how not to treat pregnant women.

Secondly, the anger that these scummy mummies will be feeling at hearing that you’ve been paid off is just fantastic! Most people on MN are literally the worst. Your victory is their defeat, and I applaud you for achieving that 👏👏👏

Of course this post sounds completely legit 😂

Anyone else playing spot the socks?

I am surprised your solicitor advised you to settle, if you have had several emails accepting liability. You may have got much more money going via the tribunal, as you have allegedly got it on paper that they discriminated against you.

And everyone clapped and cheered🤣🤣🤣

Even assuming they paid you a pittance to see the back of you, they also wrote and apologised???

Unbelievably good luck.

@Poppysmummy92

Just thought I’d update all of you who were SO mean on this post saying I was all sorts of terrible things.

I went to an employer lawyer who looked at the case, agreed I have been discriminated and asked my employer for a settlement agreement which they agreed immediately and I’ve had many emails of apologies since for their conduct.

So boo to you all, I wasn’t being dramatic I was genuinely wronged!

No, you would not get any email apologies with a settlement agreement so that's simply not plausible.

@ChristmasFluff

Anyone else playing spot the socks?

yep! Not v subtle OP

Your “employer lawyer” sounds very uninformed. I’m surprised a supposed HR employee has such a poor basic understanding.

OP - I don’t have experience, but I have sympathy for you. The employer does not sound like they followed the appropriate procedure for maternity, explaining the processes and keeping in touch with you. I think it might be illegal for them to not employ you or sideline you because you said that you were pregnant? Sometimes trade unions can have some advice. I wish you well.

@daisybrown37

I am surprised your solicitor advised you to settle, if you have had several emails accepting liability. You may have got much more money going via the tribunal, as you have allegedly got it on paper that they discriminated against you.

I think the “employer lawyer” also wanted to get rid of her, not just the employee, so advised her to accept a settlement and be gone.

@BritWifeInUSA. I think you may well be correct!

and I’ve had many emails of apologies since for their conduct
Gosh, not just one email of apology, not two but many?

You went a bit too far there for credibility!

Well I hope you are feeling proud of yourself and your settlement. It’s people like you that cause discrimination. It wasn’t all that long ago that many employers were reluctant to employ newly married women or women of child bearing age. Now your employer had been stung like this it may put them off risking the same thing again so you could be doing future women out of a job but I don’t suppose you care people like you are just me, me, me, what am I entitled to, I know my rights etc etc.

@ChristmasFluff

Anyone else playing spot the socks?

Genuinely not heard this phrase before, what does it mean?

@ButterSageSpaghetti

I believe it is where the poster uses another account/user name to respond to their own post. It makes it look like they have others agreeing with them, but they are actually just talking to themselves.

[quote daisybrown37]@ButterSageSpaghetti

I believe it is where the poster uses another account/user name to respond to their own post. It makes it look like they have others agreeing with them, but they are actually just talking to themselves.[/quote]
Ahh I see. Thank you. Makes sense (and agree!)