pregnancy timing v redundancy

[cotswolder]

Advice please.

I work for a large national employer and am currently out on maternity leave.

The job I have no longer exists and I am aware that on return from mat leave next Jan that they need to make best efforts to find me an eqv grade job which I am sure they will attempt to do. I am also aware that in the current climate, such a job might not be available and that along with many others at the moment I may be made redundant. As far as I am aware I/they have three months in which to find said job from when I return before they can make me redundant.

Issue is that we want a second child and don't want to leave it too long due to my age. Being rather selfish, we would like to time this (as best we can!) so that I am pregnant when I return in Jan which would then ideally enable me to get back out on mat leave.

I am very happy to be have a job so this is not a question of avoiding that part, but Question is, how pregnant would I need to be when I return from mat leave to get protection from redundancy? I.E could I just be pregnant or over 24 weeks for example. Or am I protected at all?

Grateful for any advice!

You must not be disadvantaged, made redundant or sacked because you are pregnant, but there is no protection simply because you are pregnant. All the usual things can happen, but if there is a redundancy situation while you are on maternity leave and a suitable aternative post, you must be offered the post (rather than have to compete for it)

www.equalityhumanrights.com/advice-and-guidance/guidance-for-employers-pre-october-2010/guidance-on-managing-new-and-expectant-parents/managing-pregnant-women/redundancy-and-dismissal-during-pregnancy-and-maternity-leave/

You get no extra protection through pregnancy, so as long as your pregnancy is not the reason for your redundancy, there's nothing else to help you.

On the other hand as hairy says if your post is redundant during your maternity leave and there is a suitable vacancy available, you must be offered it.

What happened at the point your own job was redundant, were alternatives explored?