Complicated Maternity Pay Very Stressful

[chrissa1]

As some of you might know my daughter is expecting twins in th early summer.

She works as a saleswoman for a high end car dealership and is very good at her job. She started working for this company over a year ago as a receptionist and when the chance of the sales job came up in September, she applied for the job and got it.

A colleague of hers today, (with the best of intentions) mentioned that because she could be technically on probation in this new role, the company could simply not pay her any maternity pay and in fact, terminate her employment.

She signed her new contract a few weeks ago but she is now feeling very stressed at the thought that a) she might not be paid maternity pay and b) they may terminate her employment.

I have told her that they can’t sack her because she is pregnant and she is a good salesperson whom they would want to keep.

She’s going to read her contract in full tonight and is thinking about contacting HR to see where she stands.

Any advice or information would be gratefully received.

[cleggie]

check her contract first before thinking there will be any problems

[fiction-factory]

I don't see why the change of role would make any difference as it seems she has the same employer. As her employment has been for less than 2 years than can dismiss her for almost any reason but being regnant is not acceptable and it would be taking a real risk if it tried to dismiss her on performance grounds now if it hadn't followe d a process of counselling/warnings. She should ask HR or her boss and not take much notice of what colleagues say

[chrissa1]

Thanks for that, ff. That’s what I’ve been telling her, but it’s still stressing her out. She rang HR this afternoon and someone said they would call her back, but they hadn’t before the end of play today.

She’s a glass half empty sort of person, bless her.

[chrissa1]

My daughter is now sleeping peacefully. She read her contract and it states that her contract of employment started in October 2017.

Stress over. :))

[Tilly2]

Good!

[Canary42]

I would query "best of intentions", mischievous *****.

[chrissa1]

Ha ha, Canary. No. According to my daughter he’s a really nice guy, but I know what you mean. ;))

[Peter Pedant]

// I would query "best of intentions", mischievous *****.//

since it is now a non problem - the best of intentions my arriss.

the leading case for firing someone for being pregnant is:
some one got up the duff and went off on mat leave
the locum was hired and SHE got pregnant
The locum was fired
- held that the locum's firing was unlawful....

firing for being pregnant is statutorily unfair I think
( has legal meaning - you can sue no matter what)

and someone said with the best of intentions .... my arriss
I just wish people wouldnt give advice like that