Information Needed

[Lexus]

I have been working with this company since the 16 March 2005 and have just found out that i am 18 weeks pregnant and that the comapny i work for is merging and we face possible redundancy. The reason i haven't told them is that i'm still doing my 3 months probation, and that if i wait i can still qualify for maternanity leave and pay. Also they have said that they will only be telling us next week as to were we stand. What i have been told today my another collegue is that they knew last year already as to what was going to happen to this company and that the person whom hired me said that she has only done so to give me experience. I find this completely unjust as i could have been in another company setting myself up comfortably. Insted i have now wasted my time and i am not going to have a monthly income. The good news is that they have given us two months in order to find ourselves another job or for them to fit us in somewhere however  there are some of us that still face redundancy and as i was last in it should be me who is first out. Is there any legal action i can take as they knew the outcome of this position was only going to be tempory and they should have hired someone on those basis. Not permanantly. I am really upset about this as i will no longer have an income.  

[boobesque]

this is terrible, i fully agree that this company is in the wrong, i would suggest a trip to the job centre, ask someone at the help desk to ask who you can speak to regarding this and someone there should be able to tell you the best course of action, failing that citizens advice should help.

good luck with both the job and the baby x

[undercovers]

quick - tell them you are pregnant, you are afforded many protections as an expectant mother, you'd be in a much safer position and would prob not be made redundant.

[R1]

Hi some companies are real ******** to work for, however I was under the impression that unless you are employed for a full year you don't have any statutory rights. The whole maternity thing is also very complicated. I think, looking for another job is the best thing. On redundancy, they can make a position redundant but not a person. i.e if your job will still exist after the merger they can not make you redundant in favour of someone else from a department due to close.

Good luck (p.s you must tell them you are expecting, but only after you know what is going to happen next week)  

[cookie1]

I am currently on maternity leave and on reading my maternity pack i may have a few answers which may help.

But before taking this as gospel check with citizen advise

apply for maternity leave by the very latest 15 weeks before the baby is due.or before you wish you maternity leave to start. you will need a MATB1 form from your midwife for this. otherwise you will not qualify for SMP.

to qualify for smp, been in continuous employment for at least 26 weeks by the end of the 15th week prior to the date of confinement.

have normal weekly earnings at a rate not less than the lower earnings limit for national insurance contributions during the last 8 weeks up to and including the 15th week before the expected week of birth.

it is unlawful to be dismissed for any reason connected to you pregnancy or child birth (other than for genuine redundancy circumstances, such as the closure of premises at your normal place of work or other genuine reasons etc ) you will be included in normal selection and consultation but you cannot be selected purely on the grounds of pregnancy as this is automatically unfair and discriminatory.

you are entitled to take paid time off during working hours for ante-natal care. this includes medical examinations and parent craft classes. you must give as much notice to your manager as possible and present your appointment card. the purpose for time off must be for antenatal care only.

even though you are on maternity leave your employment is classed as continuous and therefore,other than salary your benefits should remain the same ie: holiday entitlement etc.

hope this helps but please check with citizens advice as each company is different and i dont want you to be miss informed