Absence from work because of pregnancy but not realising it was caused by pregnancy

Weave

Now do you see why I posted the question separately from the original post? I just wanted the answer to one question without clouding the issue. You're obviously all entitled to an opinion on anything you like, just posting it on my original post would be more constructive than hijacking this single question post.

I know I'm fanning the flames here but it's fun!

I'm happy though as I got the answer from a more focused MSE forum member anyway.

nannytone_2

but you can't separate the issues!

you want to say she was dismissed for being sick whilst pregnant when that isn't the case!

her pregnancy just happened to occur at the same time.
seems like they wouldn't have renewed her contract anyway but you want someone to tell you it was JUST because she is pregnant.

Weave

I refer you to my opening (one) question.

You are on the wrong thread.

nannytone_2

you can't get a true answer when you only ask part of a question.

if i worked in a bank and was dismissed for having time off due to morning sickness you would say 'thats discrimination'
but if i then added that id robbed the bank ... it would put a whole different slant on things.

the school is unhappy with your wife's performance. that is why they are not renewing her contract.
the fact that she is also pregnant is a red herring

Diary

As someone else said you are clutching at straws. They had obviously decided to get rid of her long before the pregnancy came up. According to you OP there are many issues before she decided to get pregnant which made their mind up. Bad references being just one.

If you need the maternity pay so much why didn't you wait til she had a permanent job and had been there the required time before you decided to have a baby? Or did you save up for this baby instead?

If you are still unsure about the advice you've been I would recommend paying for a good solicitor to put you right once and for all or this will always bug you.

Tiddlywinks

Weave wrote: »

Hi Nannytone. We have had a meeting with the employer today and their primary argument is the absence in November which was caused by the pregnancy.

Good grief - if your wife can't even have a meeting with her line manager without your supervision then I can see why she is thought unreliable.

FBaby

It would all comes down to evidence.

If the meeting concluded (and it's all recorded) that they are very happy with your wife's skills, attitude to work, ability to carry out her duties and the only issues with her performance is her absence, and these absence only relate to the time she was off after she was pregnant, then possibly, you might have a case.

However, if the outcome of the meeting(s) is that there are concerns with issues affecting her ability to carry out the job that are in addition to these absences, then it would be much more difficult that the reason for not renewing her contract is purely related to her absences that were directly linked with her being pregnant.

So of course you can't ignore the rest if your overall question is whether she could consider taking steps to challenge them legally.

clairec79

You said the first absenses were before she knew she was pregnancy - therefore surely when she rang in the reason that she gave was not a pregnancy related illness (even though in retrospect it may have been)

Pop_Up_Pirate

No it isn;t.
Meant to quote..

Pop_Up_Pirate

Weave wrote: »

Is it discrimination? It's about whether it is lawful?

No it isn't discrimination