Redundancy while on maternity

[Ladyk79]

Hi all,

After some advise please. Just found out I'm expecting no.2 (5 weeks). I'm filled with anxiety mainly because of work.

I've worked for this company for 16 years and started a new role within this company in August. I'm worried to tell my boss I'm pregnant as I'm the only one doing this job for the company in th UK, the team supports but have their own roles too.

When I go on mat leave me duties will probably be taken on by the team. I'm worried if this happens can the company decide the can do without me and manage the role within the team thus making me redundant?

I know no one can predict redundancies but without this job I don't think I can cope with two young children financially.

Thank you

Following too, also there might be an employment topic where you may get more answers. My understanding was that they do not have to guarantee you the same job when you come back but you can’t be demoted or made redundant because of your pregnancy - could be wrong though, I’m not an expert!

For me, our team are awaiting the results of a re-tender of a government contract, without that contract there’s no need for our team at all. I’ll be a month away from my due date if we lose the tender... wondering if getting pregnant may be a good thing as it could put me at the end of the redundancy list, or will it be bad as the company that win would normally be obliged to take us with the contract but I might miss out on that...

I recently looked into this as I was concerned for my job while on maternity. They can't make you redundant BECAUSE of your pregnancy/ maternity leave, but if they decide to get rid of the role (eg everyone that is in that role) then they can very well make you redundant while on maternity leave.

Thank you both, I don't think they will get rid of the role, however they will probably share out between the team to cover my mat leave, so my concern is they could decide they can do without me. Could they do this? Because the duties would not have been shared out amongst the team to cover if I wasn't going on mat leave. The whole team has different responsibilities and no one really does my job the team just help.out here and there for when I'm on leave

Yes unfortunately if the business can demonstrate that there is no longer a requirement for your role and you being pregnant/on maternity was not the reason for the redundancy then it's completely legal.

What is your partners job like? I'd try and put plenty away in savings now just in case