Feels like they're trying to fire me

[firsttimemum6292]

So I'm a nanny and have been for 15+ years.

Always had amazing compliments from previous employers.

I was made redundant last year

I got a new job and fell pregnant pretty quick.

I'm nearly 30 weeks pregnant.

Since being pregnant I have had issues at work and I really do work my ass off and try really hard with everything I do.

Some may say I go above and beyond!

So today I got a warning and some reasons I wouldn't even justify as a warning.

Nothing big at all.

I wouldn't say it necessarily justified a warning but I've come away feeling really useless and not appreciated at all.

I still have 8 weeks left and really can't lose my job. I need statutory pay to get me through.

Just need advice really. Or maybe a shoulder to cry on 😭

What issues have you had? You say some reasons would not warrant a warning, are there some that do? If so what are they?

Need more details.

I should have said none do. Things like emptying the dish washer inconsistently, using too many of the babies nappies, baby falling asleep in the car when she shouldn't sleep at that time but she's 13 months old and we need to be out for clubs etc.

Are your employers mental? Baby falling asleep when she shouldn't?! Poor kid! And feel really bad for you OP having to put up with shit like that.

I get that you need the pay, I really do, but just know that from what you have said here they sound like complete arseholes so don't beat yourself up in any way

Thank you. I needed that, felt like I was useless!

Oh and having favourite children when ones at school all day and when he gets home it's homework and dinner and bath so no bonding time and the other 2 get to play and have fun etc in this time because they're toddlers!!

They are dickgeads. They cannot fire you, assuming this is all being done properly not a cash in hand job, they would be very foolish to sack a pregnant woman

Yes all done properly. I literally have 8 weeks to go.

Is there a time distance between a verbal warning, written warning and dismissal needed?

No you could get all in the same day in theory but honestly you are unsackable at this stage - if you’re not planning to return after maternity leave I would say you plan to seek legal advice if they give you any more nonsense .... or just go off sick and land them in it

Oh I know exactly how you feel, since I went back to work after having my baby it's been ridiculous I'm literally invisible all the time, I apparently have baby brain now so incapable of doing any work, I put across flexible terms when I dissuading returning to work and they basically said I cannot have my old job back unless I do full time which I said no so they gave it to another woman-part time!!
Basically even tho there is rules and regs now a lot of employers still have an awful attitude to pregnant women and once they've had a child I don't know why? We want to work and work out butts off so whats the problem?

I would note everything down and if needed to use against them in case they pull a fast one you've got it all there. They sound awful those reasons are just ridiculous! It's not you it's definitely them. Not sure what their problem is but please don't let it stress you and your baby out and if you need to go off on stress for the last few weeks, sod em! I feel very sorry for those children having parents like that! Out of interest what are their jobs? Are they constantly never home bringing up their own children?

@user1478639495 I feel your pain!

They aren't around no. Also go off of what children say a lot of the time and use it against me as they aren't around.

Anyone know where I stand if I want to change my mat leave date now?

First of all, I'm really sorry you're in this position and I can completely sympathise. I was a nanny until I got pregnant, then they started being weird about the dates of my maternity leave and wanted to suddenly make me redundant despite having a permanent contract and no real reason to get rid of my job. It was shocking and I was signed off for anxiety, eventually handed my notice in. I'm now 33 weeks and we've just about managed financially but I'm only entitled to government maternity allowance now. This is worth looking into if you're not entitled to SMP.

You should still get your SMP if you're working in the 15th week before baby is due (double check this at gov.uk website about statutory maternity pay - they have a useful calculator on there). Even if they fire you, you cannot lose that now if you have 8 weeks to go. They still have to pay it. The government will pay them back most of it as a small employer but they need to know they can't wriggle out of that. Have you handed in your Mat B1 form and got a response saying you're entitled to SMP? If not, chase this up.

If you want legal advice contact Pregnant Then Screwed, they were absolute gems when I needed them earlier this year. They'll tell you whether you have a case for maternity discrimination and what the law is if you're at risk of losing your job. It might be helpful just to get a reminder of your rights.

Maternity Action also have a helpline and loads of advice on their website about what you're entitled to and what your rights are.

ACAS can also give you advice on what to do next if you feel your disciplinary process isn't being followed or isn't fair, they can mediate between you and the employer of you raise a grievance and it isn't dealt with properly.

I wish anxiety hadn't got in the way of getting what I deserved legally but if you feel strong enough to do something about it, make sure you don't get walked all over. Good luck to you!

And by the way the stuff they're complaining about is ridiculous and should have been dealt with in an informal chat. Wouldn't stand up to any kind of scrutiny from ACAS or a court! If they want to fire you they have to use correct disciplinary procedure and would be on very dodgy legal ground.

@EnglishIrishRose thank you for the info.

I have handed the matb1 form in yes.

I also have a email I sent with a copy aswell as proof I gave it that day.

It's not too bad here today. But it is like treading in egg shells!

I've found out on the gov website that with 28 days notice I can move my maternity leave date which will be done!!!

Bless you, I know it's really horrible when that trust is broken. I felt like part of the family and really loved those kids. I hope you resolve this and can move on - congratulations on your pregnancy by the way x