Employment

[Adv]

I recently started a new job, then found out I was pregnant 2 weeks in. They ay I'm not entitled to maternity pay, one downfall.. I am a high risk pregnancy and need a few more appointments, my boss is not happy with this as its not great for work, everyone I attend an appointment she's not happy that I get another appointment, says she's never known anyone have so many appointments.. now she says in future I need to contact her while at the midwife to ask her permission if I can have it before excepting the appointment, as I was employed to cover maternity and I'm having too many. Also got told they wouldnt pander to me, just because im pregnant, which i didn't expect anyway. I'm lost in what to do, I'm ready to just walk out. A happy time is turning into the worse.

You won't get SMP but could get maternity allowance. Are you working full time hours which makes it hard to have appointments outside of the working day?

You're entitled to as many pregnancy appointments as necessary, you don't need permission at all, just let her know the dates when you know. They have to accommodate you.

Also I was in your position with a new job, announced I was pregnant a few weeks later, and even tho I didn't qualify for maternity pay at my new place of work, I qualified for it from my previous job. There was only a 4 week gap from my previous job to starting my new job.
If you go on the government website regarding maternity pay it tells you if you qualify or not.
You have to have worked for so many weeks prior to the birth in order to get it, I forget what that exact figure is now but take a look on the gov.uk website.

I work 9-6 Monday to Friday, appointments are only available Tuesday and Fridays

For SMP You need have worked for 26 weeks by the time you're 25 weeks pregnant so you cant be pregnant before you start the job.

If you don't qualify for SMP you can claim Maternity Allowance instead

I always make sure I give her plenty of notice, I don't take the full day off just the appointment and go back to work.. I went straight from job to job, wish I just stayed where I was before. I've waited so long for this and I shouldn't be made to feel guilty. I'm sure it's 15 weeks contineously before the due date, or 26 weeks for M.A. I'ts lonely as it is.

Yeah I can get M.A, just about covers rent. I got told if I was 12 weeks, I would have been able to get M.P but because I'm 14 I'm not entitled.

The only difference between SMP and MA though is the 6 weeks of 90% pay at the very start.

You need to make sure you get some of this from her in writing and then head to HR. You are entitled to as many appointments as you need and the undue stress she is causing you could be detrimental to the health of you and your baby.

There are laws there to protect you and HR aren’t stupid enough to want anything complaints so will tell her to stop.

For MA you need to have been employed for 26 weeks in the 66 weeks before the birth and earn >£30 in 13 of those weeks

For SMP you need to be employed for 26 weeks by the time you're 25 weeks pregnant and earn an average of £123 per week

I think They are pretty close, because he wasn't best pleased I became pregnant either. I've explained that they only do appointments at certain times, iv had previous miscarriage ect. She still insisted that I ask to change appointments and get her permission first.

I've been there since May, if I started a week or two earlier I would have got it.

Tbh I can see why they're pissed off - hiring someone to be maternity cover and then having them go off pregnant as well is a real PITA. But they still have to treat you fairly by law.

I was I'm the knowledge that I was covering maternity, I got told they had a full time job come up. Then after I found out i was pregnan I git told I was hired to cover maternity.

I second going to HR about her saying you need permission etc, you don't. If she continues to say this tell your midwife as well. Pissed off or not they still have to treat you fairly and as they would any other employee.
I'm surprised your employer is saying what she is saying, because surely she knows all the rights surrounding pregnancy in the workplace.
She needs to tread carefully.

I looked on my contract and it just says about rights being pregnant and that the employer much follow the law. I don't want to be there right now I get bad anxiety giving my appointments.

Legally they have to allow and pay you for all maternity appointments which doesn’t just cover medical, but any appointments recommended for your care.

she can be arsey all she likes but I would point her in the direction of the direct gov website about rights whilst pregnant. It’s reasonable to ask if possible if you could book appointments either beginning or end of the day to avoid any more disruption than necessary but that’s all

www.gov.uk/working-when-pregnant-your-rights

I do understand why, it's git to be frustrating, I always give her the next appointment straight away, and I go straight back

Personal frustration and professionalism are totally different things though! You can think "typical, she's just started, we'll train her up and she'll be gone!" But you must NEVER say that stuff. It's totally unprofessional and she risks putting herself in trouble.
I'm not very good at confrontation, but as it's causing you upset and anxiety, I would be sure to email someone in HR (email as then it's in writing), listing the issues you have had, that it's causing you anxiety and stating your rights. Whilst you don't want to be a pain, you shouldn't be made to feel uncomfortable!

Sounds very stressful! Your boss has no right to hinder you from going to appointments though, and is breaking the law if she tries to make it difficult for you to attend.

It is reasonable for you to try to request appointment times that are start/end of the day or at lunchtime, but we don’t always get a choice.

It might feel unpleasant, but you have to put you and the baby first. Be clear that you must attend these appointments and that there is no option to change times to suit work.

Other than be unhappy about it, there is absolutely nothing they can do. If they attempt to terminate your contract, you could easily sue them, and HR would be aware of that.

You have to be tough and remind yourself that it’s just work and is not more important than your baby’s wellbeing. If work thinks otherwise, they can screw off!

I'm not good with confrontation either. I just do as im told haha, but I'm not ringing while at the appointment to get approval.

Iv asked the midwife if we can change the dates but they can't as they are set for certain times and only do certain days too. Iv explained this to her and didn't really make a difference.