Worried..

[Charleney]

Hi Everyone,
I was hoping for some advice.
I have just found out i am pregnant after only being in my job for 3 months. Now i have a feeling when i tell them they will sack me.
Does anyone know what benefits i would be entitled to as i dont think anyone would employ a pregnant woman?
I am really worried as i have a mortgage to pay for and i really need to have some money coming in.
Thanks.

Hi there

I'm sure someone will come on with much better advice than me, but it is illegal to sack someone due to pregnancy. If they force you out without sacking then it would be constructive dismissal and you could sue I think.

You need to look at your contract for what you would be due re maternity pay, but I THINK the minimum is 6 weeks at Statutory Maternity Pay or 90% salary whichever is higher, followed by SMP up to max of 9 months

Yeah ive been told that alot but the girl that was in the job before me seemed to be forced out because they didnt like her. I just think they may do the same to me.

I know im not entitled to maturnity pay from work unless i have been there a year, so it would have to be statutory pay. Its just i know that wont start until the baby is born would it?

This is all so scary to me, i dont have a clue! lol

Hi there. Congratulations. Dont panic. Read this its what the law entitles you to.

Thats brilliant, thankyou :)

SMP will start once you've left work on maternity leave, provided you have been with your employer for 26 weeks continuous employment.

So if you finished when you were 36 weeks pregnant your SMP would be paid for a maximum of 39 weeks from the date you finished. It doesn't have to be once the baby has arrived.

I understand why you are worried, but they would have to be very silly to try and discriminate on basis of pregnancy, you would have a very good case at a trobunal.

Keep a record of their reactions when you tell them, and any other meetings or emails etc if you are worried, so that you would have evidence if you ever had an issue.

I'd speak to the CAB, as where you have been there such little time, you could be in danger.

Although it's illegal to sack a pregnant woman for that reason in your first year of employment your rights are precarious, speak to ACAS or CAB. They may just use anyr eason if you feel they are that way inclined.

Ive just calculated online for the maturnity pay and its not too bad so im happy with that :)

Unfortunately i feel that they will get rid of me, my dad is a manager of a warehouse and knows about these things and seems to think there is a good chance of them sacking me. Especially as my manager doesnt have any children of his own, i dont think he will be very understanding.

Life is complicated lol!