Worried about redundancy

[Lucyannieamy]

I took up a new post in my compant last year, officially in December, for a senior manager, the COO. I left behind a role I loved, but hadn't been actually doing since before my maternity leave. Taking up the promotion was not an easy decision, but I liked and trusted the COO and I got a pay rise so I thought it'd be ok. Then he left and a whole new management took over and they aren't interested in the role I was asked to do. I had recruited a team in January and on Friday I was told to start considering making them redundant. Which makes me think I'll be next. Now really regretting taking that promotion. The work my new boss is getting me to do is dull and nothing like what I expected, I hate this role. But I can't leave as I'm now 7 weeks pregnant.
My plan so far is to do as I'm told, not stick my head up and hope I won't be made redundant. But it's making me miserable. Any better suggestions?

You are eventually going to have to tell them you are pregnant Do you get a good deal with this eg more than the statutory amount of leave etc ? If you do you may be better off just to stick in and bear it Were you planning on staying there after the baby is born?

The sooner you tell them you are pregnant (and put it int writing to HR too) the better, you will be protected against redundancy and if they do make your role redundant then they must offer you an alternative of the same level.

I'm afraid lizzywig is wrong. Being pregnant does not protect you against redundancy. The only protection is that they cannot use your pregnancy as a reason to select you for redundancy. Also, there is no right to be offered an alternative at the same level if you are selected for redundancy whilst pregnant. If you are made redundant whilst on Statutory Maternity Leave you must be offered any suitable alternative role within the company even if there are other employees that may be more suitable. There is no such right whilst you are pregnant prior to going on SML. And the employer is not required to create a suitable alternative role if none exists.

Having said that, some employers are hesitant about making pregnant employees redundant due to the risk that the employee may claim that they have been selected due to their pregnancy.

Thanks for your help on this. Found out today my job is safe, but I will have to make the person who reports to me redundant. It's a very short sighted move and the whole thing stinks. I would leave, if not for being pregnant. Think I will keep my secret safe until this round of redundancies is up.