Pregnant and at risk of redundancy. How do I get my ducks in a row?

[Pregnantandclueless]

I’ve found out this week I’m at risk of redundancy, along with many others.

I’m only just entering the second trimester, and I believe the timetable for redundancy would mean if I am made redundant it would be just before I’m 25 weeks. I’ve been at my employer for under a year so already I’m under the 2 year eligibility for any payout.

I don’t even know where to start but want to make sure I know legally what my rights are, how that might be different given I’m expecting, and how I might able to prepare myself outside of work in terms of money/paperwork etc but also what I could possibly negotiate - realistically I’m not going to be able to secure a new job at 6/7 months pregnant, and I was planning on taking the full year of mat leave.

Has anyone been in this situation and have any advice?

The only additional right you have is that they cannot use your pregnancy as a reason for making you redundant. Other than that, your rights are the same as anyone else placed at risk after less than 2 years' service - they must give you one week's notice and they must have a consultation with you which should include looking at any alternatives.

In terms of what you could negotiate, if your employer selects you for redundancy I suspect the answer will be nothing. There is no reason for them to pay you anything other than your notice pay and any holiday pay unless they think you may have a claim for discrimination.

Thank you @prh47bridge, that’s exactly what I thought - I don’t think I can really argue it’s down to pregnancy given the number of people affected.

In this case I’m going to look at whether I can move the holiday I have left in this ‘year’ to next year, it’s only a few days but would at least give some more of a buffer if things do go down the pan.