Redundancy and pregnancy

[etak8891]

Hello everyone, I am sure I am not the first in this position. Found out I was pregnant a few days ago – not really planned but we would like to keep it. First time, 38 soon and early days so I know anything can happen. Probably would never have planned one as it is never the right time!

Anyway, been employed in a company for 10 years and my contract is ending in December. Really not sure what to do. I should be entitled to around 20k redundancy Which would be a massive help as savings etc are totally depleted with our wedding this year. My plan is to hopefully get the redundancy get maternity allowance and hopefully get another job (applying like crazy at the moment). I’ve never been pregnant, already feel sick all the time and tired. Am I being realistic thinking I can get a new job and do well in new job and not put employers off by being pregnant??

The other option is to potentially take a lower paying job in current company (another temp contact of about 18 months to 2 years) through redeployment portal. Job could be between 8-4k less per year and also be entitled to 18 weeks full pay then SMP. I have a couple hundred spare each month at the most if I don’t get take aways/coffees/go anywhere so not sure if less money is really an option. Plus my mortgage is going up in April.

Is it better to have a lump sum and hope I find another job or is it better to have more security with a lower paying job? Is there anything else I am not thinking of?

Many thanks for any advice.

I'd go for the lower paying job for security as you'd get continuation of service and maternity benefits but you wouldn't be entitled to redundancy pay. If you move to a new company then you won't be entitled to maternity benefits.

Both options are not great but I think it's the lesser of two evils. Once you are ready to go back to work then start job hunting to get back to where you left off!

Thanks for your reply. From what I can see i would only miss out on the 4 months full pay? As maternity allowance would replace SMP? Which is the same weekly rate? the 20k redundancy is a alot more than 4 months full pay. Is there other benefits i would lose out on?

When you say your contract is ending in Dec. Why would you be entitled to £20k redundancy if the contract was finishing or maybe I am not reading this correctly.

I’m sorry to hear this, that’s really tough but you’ll get through it!

What industry do you work in? A lot of companies are going through redundancies at the moment so you might end up taking a lower paying job anyway to tide you over. Have you sat down and worked out the two scenarios and what your monthly income would be vs spending?

I wondered this too...

I have my tin hat ready for this but realistically applying for jobs whilst pregnant will cause issues especially if you reveal your situation after you have been offered the role.

Whether you are 'allowed' to do this is another question. I have worked for a very large over 100K employees and now a company with 4 people. Neither set up is ideal to take on someone who them potentially gives a start date of 9-12 months later.

Companies large and small place an ad in anticipation of someone starting in say 6-8 weeks not months and months.

Hi, I didn’t really explain that. Have been through the paperwork and I would be entitled to redundancy. Have also checked with others who are in my role (research scientist) and they have received redundancy

I am hoping to have interviews lined up in january and start asap if successful. Baby is due july

Sorry havent figured out how to reply specifically so i am just adding posts under peoples replies! Yes i have went through the costs and redundancy is by far the better financial option. I would also be in a better position to take lower paying job in jan as i could pay off some debt

I was made redundant in Feb at 7 weeks pregnant. I had a hectic month or so trying to find a new job before accepting I'm taking a career break. I'm glad I did as I ended up unwell and would have had to stop work at around 30 weeks due to ill health and would have only been there a couple of months. I stopped applying for jobs around 12 weeks once I knew it was viable but I let the roles I had already applied for progress. I had a few interviews at 15 weeks but unfortunately didn't get them.

When you say your contract is ending in December do you mean:
1 - you’re on a fixed term contract that finishes in December.
2- you’re a permanent employee, and have been given notice of redundancy from a date in December.
3- something else?

Yes the first option

There’s possibly more to it, but you wouldn’t usually be entitled to redundancy pay if you’re on a FTC as it’s the contract ending, not the role being made redundant. Have you got the redundancy package in writing?

My partner has been given redundancy when fixed term contracting have ended as long as the fixed contract has been over 2 years