Some Guidence

[Lexus]

I started working at this company in May and in June i found out i was 3 months pregnant. I never told anyone here that i was pregnant as i was waiting for my probational period to be finished. Before it finished we were told that there could be possible redundancies within the company as the two sides of the company was merging  and that i might not have a job. I felt very hard done by as  they knew this was happening before they hired me. Anyway i have riden it out and in the interim have applied for a better position within the company and am the sucessfull candidate. The thing is is that i will start this new position on the 1st Sep 05 and i am due on the 11 Dec 05. Now the thing is, i'm going to be put on a 3 month probational period again as it's a new position and i basically only have 3 months left to be able to work. What i was thinking of doing was taking the job and getting the much higher salary for 3 months and then taking maternity leave and if they still want me back then i'll come back greatly. You see if this redundancy thing never came up i would still be entitled to maternity leave and my job when i get back. Also the other thing is is that going back onto 3 months probation means that i will be back on the standard terms which means that i can be given a weeks notice to leave. But they can't fire me for being pregnant only if my work is unsatisfactory. Please can someone anyone give me some guidence regarding this issue.

[Hendrix55]

I'm sorry I don't have an answer to your question, but as there are no other answers i have a couple of suggestions.  Your qu. is along the same lines as qu's published in the Saturday Guardian's Jobs and Money section.  Maybe if you look on their website guardianunlimited.co.uk there will be some info.  Also try Citizens Advice Bureau or  search for advice on web from specialists in employment law, possibly via the Law Society's website. Good luck, and enjoy your preganacy/baby whatever happens - it is frustrating to miss out on benefits, but in terms of entitlement it might just be unfortunate timing.  You may be covered by sexual discrimination laws? Are you in a union? They could give you confidential advice.

[Otrere]

Check out this website:

http://www.maternityalliance.org.uk/

This tells you everything you're entitled to and your rights.