To not understand why people recommend Pregnant Then Screwed?

[firsttimepregnanthelp]

I believe I am experiencing unfair treatment at work due to pregnancy related sickness so called PTS as people are always recommending it but they were useless?! A very short phone call with generic, vague advice. Is it just me? Same with ACAS - all very vague. There seems to be no support.

Another reason why everyone should pay the few quid it costs per month to join a Union.

Do you not have a union

Because they see others recommend them and just jump on the bandwagon when they actually know nothing about them.

My only contact with PTS was very good.

My ex-employer tried to force me to sign a new contract the day before I went on maternity leave, that deprived me of my quarterly bonus, my car allowance, and assorted other benefits.

They listened to the points I raised and then advised me to seek formal legal advice on the basis of what they heard. They were very reassuring

I've never heard of them - I thought this was going to be about some awful reality series or something. Can't say I'm loving the name for a professional organisation.

I know if doesn't help you now but I agree - join a union. I'm a disabled woman and the daughter of a miner from Durham. I wouldn't work without being a union member. Mine costs about £6pm I think and comes straight from my paycheck so I don't even think about it.

They advised you seek legal advice because your situation was beyond them. I wouldn’t call that good.

Post Traumatic Stress....?

Yes, I've been there.

No, they confirmed my view that the action my employer had tried to take was illegal. It gave me the confidence to appoint a lawyer.

If the OP thinks ACAS was also vague and unhelpful, that implies that perhaps her expectations were a little off.

Oops.... it actually mentions the meaning in the title.

Senior moment maybe....

I work in HR. ACAS,, sites like PTS and the majority (not all) of trade unions reps are utterly useless. But employees will always say “I’m going to ACAS / my trade unions” like it’s some sort of threat. And then they just get either wrong or very generic advice.

If you want to DM me OP I don’t mind giving you some hopefully less generic advice from HRD perspective.

It could depend on who you have on the phone. I have received good advice from ACAS and so did one of my friends, but she also had a less good experience on another occasion.

But I do think the issue is that they are so overwhelmed with calls that they don't have the opportunity to prioritise and personalised the advice for more complex cases.

I find it frustrating that some will advise to call them for basic advice that is already available on their website or ACAS website, particularly when the employer has clearly not done anything wrong.

I don't think they advertise themselves as doing casework, do they? So probably just initial advice only?

I think you probably need a solicitor for more in-depth advice and support.

sites like PTS and the majority (not all) of trade unions reps are utterly useless

So are a lot of HR professionals...

I was just thinking "Why would everyone recommend that?" 🤣🤣

No, they advise legal advice because they are a free service staffed by volunteers who make it clear they don't offer legal advice.
You can't say an organisation is no good just because it doesn't do something outside of its stated remit. Just like you wouldn't say your GP is no good because she has to refer to to a surgeon to have your gall bladder removed.
Different agencies have different remits. PTS is clearly predominantly a campaigning organisation that works to collect evidence to bring about change, while also offering a first tier advice and information service, but not legal casework. Just because some people need more than that doesn't discredit what they can do.

contact your union !
they can advocate for you.
as I understand it Pregnant then Screwed are a charity/campaign group

My understanding is that they are an advice line, rather than a support service. I think your expectations are unrealistic. If you want someone to actively advocate for you, you need to speak to your union

What is it that you wanted from them?

Do you have legal cover with your home insurance? If so, some insurers have a free advice line you can ring in the first instance to understand if its something they can help with.

But also agree with everyone to join the union!

Yep. My former colleague was able to take our employer to an employment tribunal because the advice given by the HR department was not compatible with the law.

I had similar experience. Totally opposite experience with Maternity Action. Brilliant legal advice.

Our union (Accord) was rubbish too ☹️

Home - Maternity Action
Home - Pregnant Then Screwed

Obviously because the HR department work for the employer not the employee. It always mystifies me that people don't understand this.

They may help when it's an employee v employee dispute but when it's the employee v employer they work for the employer (even if they know the employer is on dodgy grounds legally) and it is for the employee to seek their own advice elsewhere whether union/ACAS/employment lawyers.

I have had good experiences with ACAS (twice) which fitted in exactly with the legal advice that I received via my insurance.