Threat of Redundancy - 10+4 weeks preg

[happygojo]

I work in oil and gas, as does my bf and I am panicking about redundancy. If I got made redundant in the next couple of weeks, the chance of getting another job is slim to none, and I would be left without maternity leave. Oh and we also bought a house at the end of last year so also have a mortgage.

Anyone been made redundant early in preg and got through it?

I'm in sort of a similar situation to you; they are restructuring the organisation I work in and, whilst they have said that they aren't anticipating any compulsory redundancies, I can't help being nervous...to the point where I'm trying to conceal my pregnancy as much as possible from managers/HR so I'm not seen as a risk if they are thinking about getting rid of people.

I don't really have any fantastic advice, sorry. Maybe have a chat with HR where you work to see if there are any plans for redundancies? Is there any chance of finding an alternative role in the same company rather than redundancy? Perhaps have a look at current vacancies within the company (if there are any). Also, you don't necessarily have to declare your pregnancy to a prospective employer...if you're only 10 weeks you could get a new job and then do the old 'Oh, I've just found out I'm pregnant!" when they offer you the job? Depending on where you work you may still get some level of maternity compensation? I know this sounds a bit devious, but sometimes you've got to look out for number 1! And if they employ you they must think you're the best person for the job; you can just return after mat leave.

Also, there's nothing stopping your BF from jumping ship and looking for another job. Are either of you a technical/engineering type person? They're always looking for people in national gas/electric companies. The pay isn't too bad either.

unfortunately my boyfriend is a 'benthic taxonomist' basically he identifies worms in sediment samples.... a bit specialist. I am a tendering project manager so I have a few more transferable skills. My line manager knows I am preg, but I am hoping that it makes me a cheaper option as I only get statutory Mat Pay which they can claim 92% of that from the government and when I get back after maternity I will be part time so cheap again! but still with the same experience and skills set. Things are just so unsettled at the moment :-S I am hoping that even if they do have to 'restructure' that it will be possible for me to be either safe or placed somewhere else as I have quite a lot of experience in varying fields and I wouldn't be fussy! If not I hope I make it to May, then I will be 25 weeks so they would have to pay my full Mat pay anyway

Hi I got made redundant in November from my job I had only been in my job from the April, I signed onto job seekers due to not maying enough NI I couldn't get any money but they then paid my NI for me while I looked for work and my husband is a teacher so could not get any money.

Keep looking you may get a job it is still very early on and you don't have to tell any new employer that you are pregnant.

You should be able to get maternity allowance 11 weeks before your due same way as job seekers but don't need to look for work obvs but you would of had to earn over 30 pound a week for 26 weeks I think it was to qualify if your old job can not pay SMP I am assuming your in the UK so read this.
www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/362835/ma1.pdf

Check with cab as I remember when studying that if someone pregnant cant make them redundant, but they need to know before they make you redundant. Am busy at work now but I'll try and have a look through my study notes at weekend

You CAN get made redundant but if they know you are preg then they have to be so sure that they have used fair criteria on which to make you redundant. For example, there are 2 people in my role, one is male and I am (obs) female, if they made me redundant and kept him on I would likely have a case to make. So they would have to tread very carefully.

Fun times!

I have woken up to the news this morning that my company is likely being bought by another. A deal may or may not be struck, but we have been told to assume it will happen. If it does I think it will mean lots of redundancies I am only 14weeks so haven't yet told work that I'm pregnant - not sure whether I should now tell them ASAP as it could work in my favour, or if I should try and hide it for a bit longer?!

Hiya, I think you're legally obliged to tell them 15 weeks before your due date so there's no reason to tell them just yet if you don't want to. It's probably better to let them know if you have to do heavy lifting or are exposed to anything toxic though.

I have no words of wisdom but you're not alone. I have just been made redundant, I was told the day after I had a BFP so I'm only 5 weeks. I'm trying to be optimistic and will hopefully get a new job soon. My payout gives me a 7 months cushion but it's the maternity leave and being able to claim SMP that I'm obviously worried about so want to find a new job asap. I don't know as yet what my finishing date is but in order to claim SMP from my current employer I would still have to be here till the end of May, there's no way they will drag it out that long.

Telling my employer that I'm pregnant won't make a difference to me now and I'm unsure whether to tell prospective employers in interviews. I know I don't legally have to but I think they would appreciate honesty and they aren't allowed to refuse you a job simply because you are pregnant.