Pregnant & Lost my job :(

[SaraLouise]

Not sure if this is the right place to post this but here goes...

I am 18 weeks pregnant and found out yesterday that my work arent renewing my contract (they have a 6 month probation period). I have been signed off of work since the end of December due to hyperemisis, and in the letter they sent me it said that the reason they were ending my probation was because "you are unable to commit to the responisbilitys needed" or something crappy like that. I think that they are just getting rid of me because of my sickness/ the fact that they dont want to have to pay any maternity pay! Do you think I have a case for unfair dismissal? Im not sure if you can apply for this if you are still on probation.

Anyway, disregarding this, does anybody have a list benefits that I may be entitled to? As far as I can work out the things I can apply for are income support, healthy start vouchers, and then maternity allowance and possibly the surestart grant?

 

[kat1988]

the list of benefits is about right, u can also apply for housing and council tax benefit, depending on your living situation.

with the work thing, I would seek legal advice ASAP, (most places do a free first consultation if u don't have a trade union) as it sounds to me like u have a case for discrimination although because ud only been there a few months u can't claim unfair dismissal at a tribunal xx

 

[lucy1702]

Sorry to hear that hun I got told to ring up job seekers and they will ask you questions ect and then tell you x

 

[Rachaellius]

Sorry to hear you've lost your job hun
I do think you might have a case though. They're not allowed to penalise you for any time off due to pregnancy related illness, and saying that you cannot commit suggests it is because of the time off. I would definitely seek legal advise or maybe contact citizens advise. Good luck x

Tapatalking

 

[Princess81]

Agree, contact citizens advice or perhaps ACAS re your job xx

 

[katie_lou]

Sorry to hear about you losing your job Hun . When I fell pregnant I was on a 6 months probation period , I was 4 months into the probation period when I feel pregnant I purposely didn't tell them I was pregnant until I had passed my 6 month probation period as I was scared they would find a reason to get rid of me
.

I would contact you local CItizens advice and they wi be able to advise x

 

[LoopyLouize]

Agree with the girls, it sounds like you could have a case. Hope you manage to sort it xxx


Sent from my annoyingly slow iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[redbear]

I dont think its right as far as i know they cant let you go because of pregnancy, but i dont think its because they dont want to pay you maternity pay because they dont they claim it back from the goverment anyway so its not really there money ifykwim?
x

 

[Sue Clare]

You cannot claim unfair dismissal if you have worked less than a year. Worth speaking to acas though.x

 

[Rachel80]

Yes worth getting some advice, but a probationary period is there for a reason & if you aren't fulfilling the role (as you're not there) you can't really expect the employer to keep you on. Probation is there to check you are right for them as much as it is to check the role is right for you, & if you haven't been there then I guess it's difficult for them to tell. An employer can't refuse you a position of you're pregnant so it makes sense to look for something else ASAP x