Redundancy & pregnancy_ help needed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

catkin1508

Hi,

I am wondering if anyone can help. I have been employed by my firm for 2yrs 6months. I am currently on a temp contract covering someone elses maternity leave. This contract is due to end on the 31st March as she will be returning. Previously to this i was employed elsewhere within the company and when i took this job my redundancy payout from my previous job was protected. However I am currently 26 weeks pregnant, although i am here for my qualifying week so i know i will be entitled to my full maternity pay from the company. I am concerned i will lose out on my redundancy pay?? I have informed the company i am looking to take a min of 1 year off work. IF there are currently no positions within the company can they not pay my redundancy on the hope that a position will become available next year or do you think they will just pay me off and get rid of me??

Any help would be gratefully recieved!!!!!

Bella2010_2

Do you have any correspondance with them about the redundancy? Any emails from the time?

I don't think you will lose the redundancy pay, but they may just pay you after the maternity leave. My feeling is that they will pay you off sooner, as otherwise you will be like an employee without portfolio during your maternity leave. Who would be your line manager during this period, for example? You'd be a bit in limbo.

If they decide to pay you after the maternity leave, they might be doing so because they think they're being fairer to you - allowing you the opportunity to be able to trial an alternative role, which you couldn't do before you go on mat leave.

Maybe you could talk to them about it, explaining that your are not sure if you should be arranging childcare or not? Say that some childminders require you to secure the place with a deposit/retaining fee and you can't afford to waste any money, so would rather know your fate now. Draw the practicalities to their attention, on your side and theirs.

Just some suggestions, hopefully an expert will chip in!

Take care

Lady007

This is my view depends on how cleverly or not they worded your Fixed Term Contract. If it specifically states that you will leave once the person returns from Maternity leave then that is what should happen. If it is more vague and basically states tht you are on a Fixed term contract from Date A to Date B then they need to be very careful how they handle you. They can not make you REdundant purely for the fact you are on a Fixed Contract if there is other work you could carry out. Check your contract and offer letter.