Pregnant and being made redundant

[Dotty22222222]

Hi,

im being made redundant from my job.

I told my employer I was pregnant and 2 weeks later my job is at risk. (I’m 16 weeks)

I’ve been with the business for 6 and a half years. I’m the only person that does my role. As a HR manager. and my role is a major role in the business.

I’m a bit all over the place.

they said it’s not to do with me being pregnant. Which seems no likely as my job was fine in January!

any advice would be appreciated .

I would contact ACAS for advice asap, this sounds like it could potentially be discrimination. Good luck xx

I would contact Pregnant then Screwed helpline for advice.

Sorry this is happening to you

Sorry to hear this. I was put at risk of redundancy when I was 7 months pregnant but fortunately my employer agreed to keep me employed for the duration of my maternity leave and I then found another role with them.

Out of interest what is the reason for the redundancy - if you are a standalone HR manager what are they planning to do with your current responsibilities?

If they make you redundant, you can take it to tribunal on grounds of discrimination.
The thing is, even if they had already been planning this, it's hard to prove otherwise.

More often than not, sacking a pregnant lady is more hassle than it's worth.

As the HR manager you know they can’t make you redundant for being pregnant. What is there justification? Is the role being deleted, how will they undertake these activities without your role. Is there another role which could be a suitable alternative?

I would make it expressly clear to them that would like to understand the rationale for this redundancy and the future plans they have in place. And that following this you will be seeking legal advice as you feel the timing of this to tantamount to discrimination.

They said that my role is better off being spread across the personal assistants of the department managers of the business. So my role does exist? As it’s being done by other people?

I am standalone yes

That sounds like they are making your role truly redundant. Which if legitimate and not simply done because you are pregnant is allowable.

Without knowing the details of this. I think the best advice Mumsnet can give you is to take legal advice. Or as above contact ACAS and try early conciliation.

Im sorry this is happening to you, must be very stressful.

From experience within a Union environment, getting rid of HR to heads of department is a bad idea anyway.

A lot of general managers, have no idea of the ins and outs of employment law, equality, reasonable adjustments etc.

The fact that the business are going to dish it out to other people says that your skill set is still very valid, but they just don't want to pay for it.

Either way, it wouldn't sit well at a tribunal.

contact acas, did you notify them in writing of your pregnancy, my daughter is in same situation at 6 months pregnant. your work have to show fair process they have to decide who is made redundant via a redundancy matrix they have to explain why your job is no longer available, they have to look for alternative role within the company. they cannot take your role and give it to someonelse as this would be a sham redundancy acas and citizens advice are best people to contact

@mammat72 this is from 10 months ago.