Redundancy and sickness record due to pregnancy

[bronte69]

I returned to work after 4 months to my job as deputy head teacher and had 7 months 'enforced' leave due to being high risk pregnancy (my head teacher suspended me under ill health as he was so concerned that I would miscarry as it was my 8th IVF and had had multiple miscarriages- I was more than happy to work up to my due date.) Due to various reasons, my school is facing going into special measures and becoming therefore an academy. My current new head has told me that due to the fact that my husband and I are planning to go for another ivf cycle next year, it will make me the most vulnerable member of staff and I could lose my job due to my sickness record.Surely I cannot be penalised for a. Enforced leave and b.pregnancy related issues that caused absence c. Going for another baby ie pregnancy? I am now very concerned about my position. Help!
Many thanks.

I didn't think pregnancy related absence could be used against you..

Thanks for your reply.I was told today that as my sickness record is terrible due to being high risk in my pregnancy and the fact that I am going again for another ivf baby next year, that due to my position in school, I will be head of the list for the axe if we become an academy...

I suggest posting this in employment issues, someone like Flowery is bound to have some advice for you

Why do your school know you are going for more IVF next year?

Pregnancy sick leave shouldn't be used against you, but realistically I have found (especially in schools) that if they want you out they will find a way.

Thanks everyone- I have mentioned it to school as I will have to have time off for treatment.Sadly it can't all be hush hush with naturally trying for a baby with fertility treatment. Our clinic is abroad too so that is why we have to be upfront about it plus I am entitled under pay terms and conditions to have 15 days off for treatment.

Many thanks again.I have informed my chair of governors by phone call and evidenced it in an email tonight to her.I am meeting with her next week regarding this and hopefully plan to put it in writing my concerns to my new head and logging everything! Ironically, I was 'suspended from work due to immune issues linked to my pregnancy' as I refused to be off work.It was the only way that my ex boss could prevent me from coming to work! I know he had my best interests at heart as he said that if I had miscarried, he would never have forgiven himself.I am entitled to 15 days fertility treatment and therefore sadly have to inform school of my absence plus our clinic is abroad.If you conceive naturally then you don't have to inform them of your intentions but sadly, you can't do this with fertility treatment. If we face redundancies at work, I was told today that my sickness record will go against me, which I contested stating that pregnancy wasn't sickness. I was basically told to think very long and hard about having another baby and having time off as I would be putting myself in a very 'vulnerable and dangerous position.'