Compromise agreement?

Jamminella

yes - I was on maternity leave for 9 months, and yes I am pregnant again.

Acc72

Just to be sure I understand correctly ......

You started work with a new employer 18 months ago.

9 months ago you went on maternity leave.

You are now due to return to work, and are pregnant again (have you told your employer about the new pregnancy?).

Jamminella

yes, I was due to return last week, and I'm 10 weeks pregnant, and yes I told my employer I was pregnant - a week before they told me I'm at risk of redundancy.

getmore4less

Acc72 wrote: »

Just to be sure I understand correctly ......

You started work with a new employer 18 months ago.

9 months ago you went on maternity leave.

You are now due to return to work, and are pregnant again (have you told your employer about the new pregnancy?).

see previous thread(always worth checking if there is posting history, easy with a few posts like the OP on this one.)

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/3978519=

Jamminella

Thanks. Regarding whether or not my job was just absorbed while I was away: Unfortunately I have no idea, as they didn't keep me informed of new recruits or staff leaving while I was on mat leave, and also I'm not in touch with anyone else from the company who could let me know, as I was only there a short time. I'm not in a great position I'm afraid.

Pete111

Jamminella wrote: »

Thanks. Regarding whether or not my job was just absorbed while I was away: Unfortunately I have no idea, as they didn't keep me informed of new recruits or staff leaving while I was on mat leave, and also I'm not in touch with anyone else from the company who could let me know, as I was only there a short time. I'm not in a great position I'm afraid.

Ok, leaving aside my genuine sympathies for your employer (without wanting to appear harsh, situations such as yours is exactly why companies are starting to avoid recruiting women of childbearing age!) I think you have an excellent chance of getting rather more than 1 months salary out of them without going to tribunal. From what you write, they may have left themselves wide open here

Lets examine the facts as stated. You joined and within a few months went on Mat leave. Just before you returned from Mat leave you informed them you were once again pregnant. A few days later they informed you that you were redundant - seems a touch linked....no? Now, none of this is ideal for your employer granted, but at this stage you have rights to claim unfair dismissal and (like all employees) the right not to be discriminated against because of your sex.

Bearing in mind the employment laws in the UK and the fact they don't appear to have followed much of a consultation or selection process for the redundancy (lets be honest now, they want rid of you personally. ) I would go and have a chat with your friendly High St lawyer. He/She should be able to get a decent pay off via a compromise agreement (ie 3 months salary tax free) for you without breaking into much of a sweat....as a bonus the firm should stump up for your lawyers fees also.

Up to you obviously tho!

Jamminella

Thanks for your advice. Just wanted to mention though, situations like these do happen in life, and I haven't gone out of my way to cause inconvenience for the company. Also I'm pretty sure I've missed out on jobs in the past due to being 'of childbearing age'.

Sambucus_Nigra

Jamminella wrote: »

Thanks for your advice. Just wanted to mention though, situations like these do happen in life, and I haven't gone out of my way to cause inconvenience for the company. Also I'm pretty sure I've missed out on jobs in the past due to being 'of childbearing age'.

Yeah, so have I even though I had no intention of becoming a child bearer...thanks to situations like this.

However the law is the law and if you were a friend of mine I'd be getting you to a solicitors pronto and taking them for all you possibly could.

Pete111

Jamminella wrote: »

Thanks for your advice. Just wanted to mention though, situations like these do happen in life, and I haven't gone out of my way to cause inconvenience for the company. Also I'm pretty sure I've missed out on jobs in the past due to being 'of childbearing age'.

Yep - I'm absolutely not judging you for having kids - I'm just saying I can understand why your company might want you out. They do appear to have gone about it rather hamfistedly however and as such, you can probably benefit from this if you so wish.

caeler

Something that hasn't yet been mentioned is your right to be offered any suitable alternative employment. Not interviewed but offered, this only applies to women on maternity leave. Before you sign away any rights for a few months salary is it worth finding out if there are any other roles within the company that could be suitable alternative? Better to have a job to come back to I'd imagine? Although you may feel you'd rather cut your losses and leave for good due to the way you have been treated.