Think boss is about to make me redundant - start IVF in a week

[liveinhope100]

I've been at my job for 6 months - I am a PA. I have been ttc for over 2 years and am starting IVF in a week.

Although I don't really like it here I have stuck it out because I don't want to risk losing out on maternity pay if I do ever get pregnant. I am committed to starting my IVF and do not want to put that on hold but i have just seen an email from my boss (to his boss) suggesting making me redundant (as company is not making profit).

My question is, what happens if I find a new job and get pregnant around the same time? I believe you have to be at a company for a certain amount of time before being entitled to maternity pay. If anyone can offer any advice that would be great.

You need to have already started the new job before your pregnancy starts, which effectively means that you need to be in a new job before the first day of your last period before conception, if that makes sense. For the avoidance of any doubt, don't start trying until you've been there a month, really.

Bear in mind that any new job may not offer any enhanced package and if you have enough ni contributions you will get Maternity Allowance.

As you're not eligible for any redundancy pay, the best thing would be to start looking for other jobs now.

Good luck with the IVF.

Thank you for the advice

You are entitled to maternity allowance if you're not eligible for statutory maternity pay. Statutory maternity pay/maternity allowance may be less than you get in a job though, if you're lucky. Often the higher rates for jobs depend on you being there 6-months to 1 year before baby is born (so 3 months into pregnancy to 3 months before pregnancy). Check your documents - there may not be a benefit to staying at your current place anyway. .gov for more info on maternity allowance.