Pregnancy related

[Cherrytwistw]

I’m on probation for 8 months in a new job I started 10 weeks ago, I absolutely hate the job and the staff bully me. I was going to leave but I found out that I am 9 weeks pregnant on Monday. I don’t want to find a new job and put a company in a position of employing a pregnant woman who will leave. I wanted to stick this job out until I can begin maternity leave at 29 weeks and so I can get SMP. I told my manager this week as I sometimes work with chemicals and wanted a risk assessment. She has been really unkind to me since, purposely leaving me out of group chats and giving me extra work so she can take an early break. I have heard people gossiping about me but I did ask her to keep my news confidential. Today she told me I need to leave the job before she sacks me as I am a burden to the staff especially with a baby on the way. I am in belief this is discrimination not to mention bullying. I am in the toilets crying, I feel alone and scared I will have no job and therefore no maternity pay. Please can someone tell me my legal rights and if she can sack me for any reason while I’m pregnant? Will I still get maternity pay if she does sack me? Any reply will mean a lot

She cannot sack you for being pregnant - it's discrimation and goes against your rights under the equality act. Is it a big company? Do you have an HR department?

She may well have other reasons for wanting to edge you out (in what way are you a burden? Did she elaborate at all?) but she's messed up even bringing your pregnancy into it, as there are measures in place to protect you against that - although I'm hoping someone else can come along and advise you on how you ensure those rights are enforced.

You need to contact these people Pregnant then Screwed (google them) - they can give proper advice. Good luck!

Thank you so much to you both. She doesn’t like me being part of the team so she wants me to leave. She is likely to use something as a reason that isn’t pregnancy related and as the other staff are her friends they will lie for her. I will contact the group thank you for the information.

Sacking you for reasons related to your pregnancy would be discrimination. Treating you worse than other staff because you are pregnant is also discrimination. As you haven't been there two years they can sack you for other reasons, but mentioning your pregnancy and saying it means you are a burden to staff is clearly overstepping the line. The question will be whether you can prove that you have been sacked due to pregnancy. You don't have to prove it beyond reasonable doubt but, if this ends up in tribunal, you would need to prove it on the balance of probabilities.

You will qualify for SMP if you work at least 26 weeks at your current employer and are still employed by them on the 15th week before the expected week of birth. If you are not eligible for SMP you may be able to claim Maternity Allowance.

@Cherrytwistw Email her first thing and say

“further to our conversation on (date) when I requested a risk assessment because I am pregnant and handle chemicals.

I note your response was to verbally advise me to resign because I am pregnant and will be a burden on other staff ( try to use the words she said).

I am writing to confirm my request for a risk assessment.”

If you can cc HR in and make sure you keep a copy.

Yes, this is slightly antagonistic but you need to try to keep your job so getting in writing that she asked you to resign because you are pregnant may help. As @prh47bridge says they can dismiss you for other reasons but much harder if you have an email of her comments.

As @Setfiretotherain1 says, then contact Pregnant Then Screwed and ACAS.