Newly Pregnant- And May Lose My Job: What do I do?

[fireworkprincess88]

Hello everyone,

Just last week, I found out that I am newly pregnant. It's all very new, but we are utterly delighted, it's what we both wanted.

A few days later, I found out that my husband got a job in London (we currently live in Paris). Again, we are delighted, it's what we both wanted, it will be so nice to live near my friends and family.

I actually work for the same company as my husband. As the are transferring him, I was hoping that I could also get a job in the UK, within the same company. However, my boss has said that there isn't anything available, and I cannot do my job from the UK, and I can keep working remotely until September (baby due early December). They don't know I am pregnant, as I am only five weeks and haven't shared the news yet.

I understand and knew this might happen. However, I have worked for the company for five years, and it feels tough to know I am pregnant and wont get any maternity pay. I wish I could get some form of maternity pay as I have been devoted to my job for five years.

In a global pandemic, I doubt an external company is going to hire a pregnant person. So it will be hard to get a new job with another company.

Is there anything I can do? Should I tell my boss I am pregnant and see if they will re-consider? If they would only hire me until December instead of September then I would be entitled to maternity pay.

What would you all advise?

Ultimately, I know how lucky I am to be pregnant and in a loving relationship. And, being near my family is more important to me than money.

I would just be more relaxed if I knew I had maternity pay. I have always been financially savvy, and a proud career woman. I have always ensured I am in a job where I would be covered if I was to fall pregnant. It feels strange to be faced with this unknown situation.

Would love to hear everyone's thoughts.

Thank you

Are you not able to start your mat leave aug/sept. And then look for a new job when you are ready to return to work?

Are you saying that your employer will allow you to do your job from home (Paris) until September? Would you then be expected to return to being office based (in Paris?).
When does your DH transfer to London?

When can you start mat leave? If you can start in September, surely you can claim mat pay from then?

Are you employed under UK or French/EU legislation?

Hey, thanks for your reply. I had no idea that I could do that! So if they put me on a fixed term contract which ends in September, I would still be entitled to all of my maternity pay if I left for maternity in September?

Hey Gazelda, sorry I am new to mums net. This reply was meant for you: we move to London in July. All being well with travel. They would allow me to work from home in London July- September. It’s a British company, but I am currently paid through their French payroll, however would switch to UK July-Sept. If I am on a fixed UK contract from July ending in Sept, but have been working for the company for five years, do you think I could still claim full maternity from September? Thanks for your advice!

@unicornsarereal72 oh that would be so good if I could! I didn’t know it was an option. So if they switch me to a fixed contract from July ending Sept, do you think I’d still be able to claim full maternity pay if I start my maternity in September? Oh I do hope so! I’ve worked for them for five years now. Fingers crossed. Thank you :)

Hi OP, the answer to this will depend on a number of factors.

When is DH expected to transfer? At the point of transfer, is the expectation that you move onto a UK fixed term contract, or will you stay on your French contract while working from the UK?

Congrats! Out of interest, are the company paying re-location fees for you? They should be if transferring OH.

You need to find out when you qualifying week is, as this is the main week you need to be working to get mat leave (as I understand it). I'm 7 weeks and still navigating what mat leave I might qualify for.

You might find info on the ACAS website. Many different factors involved though, so you may need to call them. They are incredibly busy at the moment though, so I'd only call once you have more facts on your contract/ details etc.

www.acas.org.uk/

@Asiama we are expected to move in July, and from then I would be paid into my UK bank account. They would switch me to a fixed term contract July- September, but I could negotiate that they don’t put me on a fixed term, but instead I agree an end date. I could explain to them, and this is true, it would be easier for me to get a place to rent in the UK if I am not on a fixed term.

Be careful on eligibility for maternity and qualifying weeks. You need to confirm whether you'll be subject to French or English law. I don't know anything about the detail - just flagging it's something to work out v

Out of interest, are the company paying re-location fees for you? They should be if transferring OH.

Depends on why he is transferring, whether he applied for a new role, or if they are moving him

That's helpful to know.

You will not have been working in the UK for long enough to qualify for statutory maternity pay. From what I know of the French system, I think you will have left too early to qualify for French maternity pay from the health insurer (but don't take my word for it, you could call them and check).

The only options I can think of are as follows:

1. They allow you to remain on the French contract while working in the UK, on the condition that before you leave, you hand in your notice dated 2 months after your due date. I believe in France you can only start your maternity leave 8 weeks before birth, so your employer will need to agree to you to work until October, and means your resignation coincides with your maternity end date. This also assumes that the health insurer will pay maternity pay despite you living in the UK, and that there are no tax implications for you and the company that would prevent you from doing this.

1. The employer agrees to pay you something out of the goodness of their heart. To be honest, in a pandemic where companies are struggling, I think this would be highly unlikely.

In the UK you can start maternity leave at 29 weeks of pregnancy. If the UK company offers maternity pay above the statutory amount, and you start maternity leave at 29 weeks, then you may be entitled to it but only until September. You could negotiate to extend your contract to cover the end of your maternity leave so that you get the pay. Realistically, even if the company offers enhanced pay you are unlikely to be entitled to it due to your very short length of service in the UK, but may be worth arguing that they should take your France service into account AND extend your contract.