Red8ndancy and pregnancy

Gifty

Hi everyone,

I need advice very urgently. I was given notice that I was at risk of being made redundant in late October last year. After a month I was told they wanted to extend my consultation period for a further month. I told them I would rather be told what my fast e was as I didn’t want to be left hanging. However they went ahead and extended the period and I was called in yesterday for a meeting and told officially I was being made redundant. I am unhappy about not getting enough notice for this meeting. I had the notice by email when I got into the office yesterday morning.


I have 8weeks notice although i am only junior and as assistant. This is good in a way as I get more money hopefully. However, they want me to work for a month. I would rather not do this because I am currently 3months pregnant and being in a place where I know I don’t he a future will be too depressing in my opinion so I want to try and get out as soon as my current project is finished- hopefully next week and get paid in lieu. I know this is entirely up to them.

Since I am pregnant, it is going to be a bit difficult getting a job as I feel an employer will feel 'short-changed' as I will be going off on maternity leave soon after staring work- if I get a job.
What is the minimum qualifying period for maternity pay? |Do I get any with my current employer?


Help[ do I have any options

Bobl

From DirectGov:
To qualify for SMP you must have been:
employed by the same employer continuously for at least 26 weeks into the 15th week before the week your baby is due (the qualifying week)

So it looks like you will not be entitled to Maternity Pay from your current employer (the way I read it). And your chances of getting a new job must be quite slim, even if they should not discriminate (but lets be realistic), so it looks like your best bet is to stay on where you are for as long as possible to earn money.

I am sure someone will have greater knowledge than me, but that's how I read it.

spendaload

Hi Gifty

I'm sorry that you find yourself in this awful situation, I was recently in a similar situation, I was made redundant at 29 weeks pregnant so thought I might be able to shed some light on what you need to do, can claim from your employer etc...

You must have worked for your current employer continuously for 26 weeks up until your '25th week' of pregnancy in order to claim maternity pay / benefits from your employer. Even if you are made redundant they must pay your maternity pay (mine was 6 weeks at 90% pay and then 33 weeks at £124.88).

If they have given you notice of 8 weeks will you be 25 weeks?? as this would mean you will be eligible for SMP.

Sorry cant post links but google smp and redundancy or try direct gov website

I hope that you get sorted soon x

Gifty

Hi thanks for replying so quickly. I am currently 13weeks pregnant and so will be only 21weeks after 8weeks. Just miss the qualifying period by 3weeks which is a big shame! I doubt seriously that a scan will give me a date of 3 weeks earlier so no hope there!

Gifty

Thanks for replying so soon. Am only 13weeks so will be 21weeks in 8weeks so I won't qualify for smp then unfortunately.......

Gifty

just to add that I have worked here for 4 years....

dazza.mk

Worth looking at if you don't qualify for SMP

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/BenefitsTaxCreditsAndOtherSupport/Expectingorbringingupchildren/DG_10018869