Redundancy whilst pregnant

[greenflamingo]

I have been told that my job is under threat of redundancy as the need for my job has diminished. Apparently I am the only person this is affecting. I am 4 months pregnant. I was told (confidentially) that discussions had taken place to share my job out amongst other colleagues at least 6 months ago - with the possibility of offering part time personnel additional days in order to do certain aspects of my job and also to ask other people in different departments to take on some aspects. If my role has diminished and is no longer required why is my employer sharing it out amongst other personnel?. I would dispute this as I am constantly busy in my own role and also have loads of work dumped on me by my manager who is very lazy and frequently does not even do a 5 hour day before leaving early or taking extended lunches. She is not on the flexi system so nothing can be proven. Also I am the only person in the office to be a member of a trade union and recently participated in a work to rule some months ago which led to victimisation by management.

I just wondered whether I had any grounds for unfair dismissal - would be very grateful for some advice please?

[old_andrew2007]

Hi you will get excellent advice as some forum members have expertise in HR issues, however I'm not one of them.
There are two ways you can gain attention you could click on the red triangle leave a message which will alert the site team, or send a PM to those with HR knowledge to such members I believe are Ell-enn and Sidewinder.

Regards

Andy

[Parkvale]

• You can be made redundant whilst on maternity if your position is genuinely redundant. However, it would be an unfair dismissal and sex discrimination to select you for redundancy because you are pregnant or on maternity leave.
• If you are made redundant whilst on maternity leave your employer must offer you any suitable alternative vacancy that may exist, even if that vacancy is in a group company and even if there are better qualified candidates for the position. You cannot be required to apply for any such vacancy or be interviewed for it. It should simply be offered to you.

This area of the law is complex. If you are having difficulties with your employer whilst pregnant or on maternity leave, for example, you find that your employer is failing to consider your health and safety whilst pregnant, or is suggesting that you are redundant whilst on maternity leave, or your employer is refusing to give proper consideration to your request for flexible work, then you should consider taking legal advice. You should do so quickly as the important deadline to bear in mind is that you may have only three months less one day from the date of the discriminatory act or dismissal to bring a claim in the Employment Tribunal.

[Sidewinder]

Couldn't agree more with Parkvale.