Advice needed - Redundant whilst pregnant

[Momtobe85]

Hello everyone,

I am French living in UK for 6 years.
I am a retail manager. I am now 2 months pregnant (my employer doesn't know yet) and they told me that because of covid + brexit, they will have to shut the store in June and make the team and myself redundant.

Here is my concern : what do you think would be the best to do financially?
Those are difficult times for me as for many of you I guess..

I think I could ask my employer to count my holiday from June to mid July (I have many holiday left) in order to be entitled for SMP. They are helpful and I think they would do that for me.
However, I then have not many chances to find another job being 5 months pregnant.

Otherwise, I could look for a job now, but I would be losing my rights to SMP and only get MA.

What would you do if you were in my shoes? Is there anything I do not know about the UK laws that could make my decisions easier?

I am just afraid to struggle..

Thank you so much for your kind help

Did you see this thread? www.mumsnet.com/Talk/employment_issues/4178272-Pregnant-and-facing-redundancy

That thread is entirely irrelevant to OP' s circumstances. There is nothing to stop you asking the company if they are willing to deal with your leaving in the way you wish but they may not agree if it has an impact on how they need to deal with other employees being made redundant too.

Thank you so much for your answers.

They already made half of my team redundant a few months ago so it is just my part time student and myself left. I will try it out.
Do you think it is the best way or would you look for a job instead? Please tell me if I am wrong but SMP just gives you 6 weeks paid 90% of your salary more than MA? otherwise they offer the same benefits?

Thank you so much again for your time

I see this as a negotiation :

1. how much longer do they need to employ you for you to get smp? Is it 3 months or 3 weeks?

Remember your qualifying dates won't be final till your dating scan - I found out at my scan I was a whole week ahead of my dates.

2. do some research on how smp works - I am sure how it works but employees can recover some of the cost - I think of national insurance - so it's not a total cost for them

3. finally - really consider what is in it for your employer- goodwill by ensuring you get your smp, experienced staff member stays to the end (could you work elsewhere?), enhanced reputation - ie you will tell people it was good to work there .....

@SeasonFinale

That thread is entirely irrelevant to OP' s circumstances. There is nothing to stop you asking the company if they are willing to deal with your leaving in the way you wish but they may not agree if it has an impact on how they need to deal with other employees being made redundant too.

Is it? I must admit I just scanned it, but thought there might be some useful information in it.

Yes Momtobe85 the difference with SMP and MA is the first 6 weeks at 90%. Otherwise in your case the amounts will be the same (not necessarily true for everyone but you will qualify for the maximum MA payment assuming you’ve been working full time).

Thank you so much @welshladywhois40 and @skeggycaggy 🙏🏼💕
Very useful, I didn't know that I had to count until the date of the scan and not exactly 15 weeks before the due date

@Momtobe85

Thank you so much *@welshladywhois40 and @skeggycaggy* 🙏🏼💕 Very useful, I didn't know that I had to count until the date of the scan and not exactly 15 weeks before the due date

Not until the date of the scan, but that your estimated due date won’t be set until you’ve had the scan and get your Matb1.

Ahh got it, sorry, silly me! 🤦🏼‍♀️
all right, I have the scan in 3 weeks!
Thanks again! Xx

Sorry to hear this is happening to you.

Have they told you the date on which you'll be made redundant? And also how long have you been there?

You could ask if they can keep you on furlough until you're 25 weeks pregnant?

It's a big ask, as it's another 4 months for them plus then having to keep you on payrol for the SMP. But if you ask nicely and explain the situation they may be willing to help.

Even if you end up without SMP you should be able to claim MA. It's slightly less but also lasts for 39weeks.

Thank you so much @zzzebra 💕
Well they told me in June they will have to close the store.
I have been working there for 4 years now and we have very good relationships.
I have plenty of holiday so I am thinking to put it up to the 26th week which should be mid / end of July so manageable..
Hopefully, they will agree 🙏🏼 I am waiting a couple of weeks and will ask