are there laws against this?

[Stinkerbell]

wasn't entirely sure where to post this but thought someone might know. My sister-in-law is 5 months pregnant with her first child and was working as an apprentice in a hairdressers, once her boss found out she was pregnant she sacked he. surely shes not allowed to do that, my sister-in-law must have some rights.

[redcrx]

Get your sister to speak to ACAS www.acas.gov.uk immediately

pregnant women have rights and it may be she can prove unfair dismissal. But they may say they had a genuine reason to sack her. What did they give as reason for sacking her? how long had she worked there? All these questions may help ACAS give her the right info

[commonsense]

As far as I know as long as u have worked for them for over 3 months you are entitled to claim maternity pay, but Im not sure if this applies to apprentices

[Buenchico]

Some quotes:
"A woman will automatically be regarded as unfairly dismissed if her employer dismisses her, or selects her for redundancy, because she is pregnant or has given birth to a child, or for a reason connected with her pregnancy or childbirth."

"A woman may make a complaint of automatic unfair dismissal, regardless of her length of service, in any of the following circumstances:
* the dismissal is for a reason connected with her pregnancy; . . . "

Those quotes are from the Department of Trade & Industry's website which has much more detailed information, here:
http://www.dti.gov.uk/employment/employment-le gislation/employment-guidance/page18313.html

Chris