due to go on maternity/possible redundency

cady

Hi,

Im due to go on maternity leave at the end of august and on wednsday my company announced that they have lost a big contract (mine) and because of this they may be possible redundancys - i recieved a letter yesterday stating that they will be starting the consultation process and as far as im aware there selecting certain people to act as reps and when this has been voted they will begin meetings and people will be informed if therein the at risk catogory (about the 6th aug) - what will happen if i end up in that catorgory? should i start my mat leave now so i would have left beofre this starts? am i better off leaving before this happens or if the contract is not going to be lost until nov yet there starting the process now should i just stay and leave as normal on 29th aug? can they make me redundant whilst im on leave or do they have to keep my job until i return? they are saying it may not happen as they have signed 2 smaller contracts and are hoping to get more but im worried about being made redundant with a new baby!!!

Thanks for reading and any advice is appreciated

Cady
x

cady

just bumping :-)

fattybooboo

Hi Cady, sorry I have no idea on what the best thing to do is, however I am in a similar situation, or could be if our work gets any quieter, and I wondered the same. Hopefully someone will be along soon to advise
xx

cady

Thanks for posting i think that a lot of people are facing redundancy at the moment but being pregnant means you have to stick with your job or loose your maternity pay!!! im hoping someone can advise us both as its a scary enough financial situation leaving work for 9 months with out this too!!!

Cady x

zzzLazyDaisy

Hi, sorry to hear that you have this worry, just when you should be relaxing and looking forward to the arrival of your baby.

If there is a genuine redundancy situation, then yes, you can be made redundant during your maternity leave. However you cannot be made redundant because you are pregnant or on maternity leave.

It doesn't make a lot of difference whether you are still working or are already on maternity leave. The employer still has to consult with you and let you know what is happening. If your job disappears, they must look for alternative work to offer you. If there is no alternative work, then you will lose your job. But the employer cannot treat you any differently than any other employee.


If the employer makes you redundant while you are pregnant or on maternity leave, they must provide written reasons. If you feel that you have been treated unfairly you may have a claim for sex discrimination.

Even if you are made redundant you will still be entitled to SMP for the 39 weeks (assuming you have reached 15 weeks before the due date, and have 26 weeks service with this employer).

hth