Request a delay for proper representation.
Do this in email not by voice. Do it now.
Copy it to your ex-manager,blind copy to at least one other senior person in the firm.
Click the button in your system that says "request a read receipt" as well as the one that says request delivery receipt.
You want a record for if they deny it.
I'm a bit technical, so if you need help with that, I'm [email protected]
If you are really lucky they will deny you representation, and poke yet another hole in their own case.
As someone who is cynical about unions in general I have to say that this is the sort of stuff they usually do well. This is what unions are for.
Not sure if they will help a non member, if so then I'd regard paying fees as a worthwhile investment.
Do not sign anything without advice.
Even verbal agreement might hurt, at the very least it makes you look like a soft touch.
They can make you redundant.
Perfectly legal.
That being said, as Passionflower says, they are going to have a hard time showing that this was just coincidence, not least because it probably isn't.
Did they have conusltations. Sure they're a sham in most firms, but a big firm losing people ought really to have played the charade. Not doing so helps your case.
The meeting itelf is a sham, thry have legal obligations to pretend it's a "discussion" but it ain't.
As for working for a big organisation, that often means that they haven't bothered to talk to a lawyer, becuase they cost maney, and this is a cost reduction exercise.
I'd bet money the political dynamic is that the fianance director (failed accountant) put pressure on the HR director to "think about the business", and not to worry about pedantic details.
Fact is that as a preganant woman, you're an obvious target for cost saving.
I'm not a lawyer, but am a pimp, who's worked at board level and I would take a lot of persuading to sack a pregnant woman, both ethically and financially.
To me this is a negotiating situation, not a take what you're given one.
As I say, I regard their decision as appalling from an ethical position, and as my former CEO put it
"money is the best revenge" when we took nno-trivial money from someone who had screwed us around.
If they think that pregnant women are easy prey they will do this crap again. Being a bloke I can't make much of a call to sisterhood, but bear it in mind.
Your relationship with them is over, gone.
Whatever goodwill you think you built up turns out not to be worth anything to them, so don't value it yourself either. They are your past, money is your future.
They may want to take away your maternity leave, and other benefits. Private healthcare ?
As it's #2, you know this is going to be an expensive time, and you're realistic about getting another job.
Their decision is going to cost you a lot of money just when you need it most.
Let them put whatever offer in front of you, but unless it's really generous (and statutory is not generous), then pause for at least a minute ,with as little expression as you can imagine.
Calm is good here. Much more scary than a rant.
Depending on your personal style, I'd be tempted to break the long pause with "Is that it ?", maybe with a sarcastic "oh dear..."
Then use the following arguments and suggest they go away and rethink the package.
Make sure they understand very clearly that they've started a fight, and the law favours you.
This case will cost a lot for them to defend at a tribunal. They will not be able to recover the legal costs, and you can get legal aid and the union. They need to know that you know.
Big firms do not have cheap lawyers, very quickly their fees will go past several months pay, even if you lose.
Unfair dismissal is capped, but not in cases of race or sexual discrimination. Mention this.
Point out your medical condition, and say they you don't believe for one second that they chose you or the timing accidentally. But you need to convey that this actually will act in your favour when not if they go to court.
My board level experience is that the larger firm, the more they will want to settle out of court. The amount you will get is a simple function of how likely you are to go.
You say they're a big firm. Good.
That means you ask. "How will this look in the papers" ?. Name some high up person, and ask "what will Richard Bigswing say to you when he reads this in the papers ?"
Have you told him you're sacking a pregnant woman ?
If no, then say
"ohh dearrrr....."
If yes, ask what he said. They'll probably refuse to say. If so then say "that bad eh ?" or else
"I wonder why he's not prepared to say it himself, left you to do his dirty work".
If she says that Big Richard is quite happy that no discrimination has taken place, the obvious response is
"so he'll say that in court, under oath ?"
This is a potent threat, since it's rare that getting a top guy of your firm into court is good for your career. The henchmen who occupy management niches between you and him will already fear for their position, and you will rattle a lot of cages. (say) 6 months salary, plus maternity leave, and continuation of benefits like healthcare is what you might well accept.
Of course you don't ask for that because they'll try to whittle you down, but let them offer.
You need to get your retaliation started now. There are tight timesecales for making such a claim, and once #2 is born you will have other priorities. The cynic in me thinks that they've made that calculation as well.
Play with the words, but the tone of undermining the person responsible for this will help.
For the best settlement, you need people to feel it is in their best personal interests to make this go away.
You will recall that the newspapers have carried several stories of this form. Google will find a few. Feel free to quote from them.
Wonder out aloud "I wonder how many other women are being lost, when this case goes public, all sorts of things may come out".
It's impossible to do redundancy perfectly fairly, so that's a safe bet.
Also at this stage you may choose to make a subject access request under the Data Protection act. You have the right to see computer and "structured" printed data on you. Big firm almost certainly has files on you.
Say "of course you've nothing to hide have you ?"
This sounds a bit aggressive, and of course I can't know your personality, but is a necessary course of action.