Newly employed but pregnant!

FireWyrm

This just happened to me actually. Started a new job on the 8th June only to figure out I was pregnant a few weeks ago. The new baby will be due in late February. There is no maternity pay, but you are entitled to time off obviously, but it will be unpaid. You can claim government maternity allowance at something like £100 a week. To get this, you need a MATB1 and a letter from your current employer explaining why they wont be paying you. Apply for the maternity allowance and that's what you get. So as not to inconvenience the company too much, I will only be taking 8 weeks off as it's frankly all I can afford. At least I have some warning and can save some money for it. It was unfortunate timing, but it happens sometimes. You are still entitled to time off for maternity appointments though and nothing should change with your employment, you cannot be treated unfairly because if it, singled out for redundancy or similar. Although they can make anyone redundant without reason with under 2 years of service, they have to tread carefully when the employee is pregnant because it can look an awful lot like discrimination for which there is no service time requirement.

FireWyrm

harryfrombarry wrote: »

Why on earth should this company pay you nine months pay, when you have only just been employed by them.

The world has gone mad.

No one said anything about being paid for nine months. It's a myth. You can potentially get (if you qualify), 6 weeks pay at 90% and then standard SMP at £100 a week thereafter. If you dont qualify for SMP, you can claim Maternity Allowance at a flat £100(ish) a week. Some companies have enhanced pay, but that is pretty rare. My own employer pays 100% for 6 weeks and then SMP thereafter. I have heard of universities and government paying for longer than that, but the law says it only has to be nearly full pay for the first 6 weeks. In reality, this means most people cannot afford to have more than a few months off tops.

Polarbeary

harryfrombarry wrote: »

I don't like it.

I can't imagine my MP will be too concerned about it though.

There are far worse things in this world to dislike...

harryfrombarry_2

Polarbeary wrote: »

There are far worse things in this world to dislike...

Yes, but don't forget it is possible to dislike a multitude of things, all at the same time.

i_want_to_believe

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3172799/Job-hunters-not-hide-pregnancy-says-three-four-bosses.html

Takeaway_Addict

i_want_to_believe wrote: »

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3172799/Job-hunters-not-hide-pregnancy-says-three-four-bosses.html

Its disappointing that the article concentrates primarily on the negative side, the fact is 89% of mothers did not feel pushed out etc should be appluaded and I would suspect its actually even higher because ultimately of that 11% some may feel singled out but the business will have been justified and not taken the decsion based on taking maternity leave.

*~Zephyr~*

becks20 wrote: »

Hello,

I was recently hired by a large firm on a 1 year fixed term contract ...

Are you actually an employee? Or are you a contractor on a fixed term?

Undervalued

Takeaway_Addict wrote: »

Its disappointing that the article concentrates primarily on the negative side,

I don't recall ever seeing the positive side of anything in the Daily Mail!