Being furloughed at work while 23 weeks pregnant

[Fiona1987]

Hello,

I'm after a bit of advice. I'm currently 23 weeks pregnant and I told my employer when I was about 17 weeks pregnant . I handed in my maternity exemption certificate about a week ago. Took me a bit to get it due to my GP being closed.

The company is currently furloughing employees for a minimum of three weeks due to the Covid 19 pandemic. I work from home at the moment and received a call from the HR manager yesterday and asked me if I would agree on going on furlough for three weeks from April 20th. I would get 80 % pay of the government and 10 % top up from the company. Generally I like the idea of being furloughed with 90 % of your pay of course, but I'm worried that after the furlough period is over they could just make me redundant and then not having to pay me my maternity pay. When I mentioned my concerns to my HR manager she said that this could happen to anyone if there's less orders and the company is struggling.
I feel quite paranoid now and I feel like I'm being targeted because of my pregnancy. I asked her if the furlough scheme of 3 weeks is offered to everyone, but she didn't answer me directly and just mentioned a couple of other names that it was offered to/are on furlough now. She also said the more people participate in it the more it will protect jobs and make us all less exposed.
I understand this argument, but I am suspicious that the company could use this pandemic to get rid of employees that they regard as less important or not convenient like me because I will go on maternity leave in July.
Initially they didn't even want me to work from home ( although I work in an office and it's easy to work from my laptop at home) and when I mentioned that I'm vulnerable because I'm pregnant they didn't take it seriously and kept on saying no, until I wrote an email in which I voiced my concerns. They then allowed me to work from home, but I noticed a sarcastic tone when I spoke to two of my managers. I think they were angry because I put my concerns in writing and maybe they see me now as an unruly employee.

Is anyone else in the same position and has some advice?

Hey, if you have Instagram take a look at the page Pregnant then Screwed.... I found her advice really helpful.

I’m in a similar position. 29 weeks pregnant and furloughed (80%) and was working from home since we were told to isolate. My worry is this will effect my maternity pay, as I’m due to receive 90% for 6 weeks.

Hoping everything calms down before June!!! Fingers crossed

Take care!

Thanks Shivles, I'll have a look. Pretty stressful to be pregnant in the corona virus pandemic and now we got work to worry us on top of everything

I'm in a similar position but only 14 weeks pregnant. I was thankful to have the 80% at first but it's just made me wonder now what happens after the gov scheme ends and we're still not back at work. Stressful!

I'm not sure there's actually anything that could be done, as a redundancy wouldn't necessary be pregnancy discrimination due to the current situation. Sorry you're in this position too.

@otterbaby: that's exactly what I think as well, that it wouldn't be discrimination because of the extraordinary situation of the corona virus and its economic impact.

My understanding is that as soon as you inform your employer you have some rights in relation to payment.
I believe they could make you redundant but I believe they would need to pay you all your maternity pay for the 9 months that you are off
The best thing to do is speak to Acas as they will be able to advise.

They have some great online information with regards to rights during pregnancy

If you’re made redundant they will need to pay SMP you will however likely miss out on any enhanced benefits. I was in a similar position last pregnancy and that was the advice I got from maternity action and a acas. Fortunately I managed to keep my job. Another thought if you’re on maternity it’s harder for them to select you for redundancy so may be with shifting your leave forward

Hi OP
I have the same situation as you constant discrimination since they were aware I was pregnant , refusal for antenatal appointments , then refused to lockdown , then made me and only me redundant , I got my union involved , along with maternity action. Work did a u turn and now I'm furloughed but I have feelings they will eventually try and make me redundant again. Make sure you're in a union or you speak to maternity action and ACAS. They can't make you redundant without consultation and if your job role is still active.

@Shivles this is my concern. I'm currently 23 weeks and my HR department can't clarifying if my 90% will be based on my salary in these qualifying weeks (so 80%) or my contracted salary!!

I just want to be able to plan as the chance of being able to put aside a bit each month has now gone out the window!

@Babyshine2020 I think unfortunately it will be based on your qualifying period. Unless the gov release some form of clarification on this id be prepared for the lower amount

Hi everyone,

I found this information online ( thecareercafe.co.uk/blog/what-do-if-you-are-made-redundant-while-pregnant-before-going-on-maternity-leave-uk/) which is somewhat reassuring:

"Redundancy while working prior to maternity leave starting

You will still qualify for statutory maternity pay if made redundant as long as you have been employed 26 weeks before the 15th week before the expected date of child-birth – and you have been earning an average of at least £112 a week, (2015-2016), 8 weeks before the end of the qualifying week.

If you are made redundant and stop being employed BEFORE your qualifying week, (the 15th week before the expected date of child-birth), you are not entitled to SMP, but you might be able to claim Maternity Allowance. In order to claim SMP you’ll need to give your employer a copy of your MATB1, (maternity certificate), that you can get from your mid-wife or GP which states your expected week of child-birth. You’ll need to give your employer at least 28 days notice of the date you want your pay to commence.

However, if you are made redundant during or AFTER the qualifying week you should qualify for SMP assuming you have met all the other conditions mentioned above. SMP is currently paid for 39 weeks and you can find the rates of SMP here."