Hi All,

I need some advice. I have been suspended from work on full pay yesterday and am 13 weeks pregnant.

My suspension is not an accusation of guilt but according to the letter my employer has provided is required in order for them to undertake an investigation.

I work in a telesales role selling advertising space which requires 3 hours on the phone per day and the allegation is that I have phoned a paticular telephone number which does not relate to my work in order to achieve the minimum target above.

For the last 7 weeks due to tiredness and lack of support in the work place i have not achieved this target anyway and the allegation about abuse or falsification of call records is completely unfounded.

Since I notified my employer of pregnancy they have given me paid time off for maternity appointments, however, the owner of the company and a number of male colleagues have treated me with contempt on returning from these appointments and also from sickness leave I have taken, various comments have been made about p*** taking. On one occasion (my 1st appt with my midwife, conducted at home) I had an appointment with my midwife at 9am, she did not turn up until gone 10am and the appointment continued till 11:30am at which time I went straight to work and then at 12:30 ( when my normal everyday lunch hour starts) I asked a colleague to bring me a sandwich so I could eat at my desk and catch up on some work, although I feel I could have taken my lunch my boss/owner reprimanded me for eating any lunch and said i should have had something at home whilst waiting for the midwife??????

On another occasion I arrived in work slightly late due to headache and morning sickness & had not managed any breakfast so at 11am felt my blood sugar levels had dropped and felt slightly dizzy so a female colleague offered me half a sandwich which took me less than a minute to eat. I was then asked by a male colleague not even responsible for managing me if I was intending to take an early lunch as I had eaten something, as i tried to explain why I had eaten something, the person in question said this was a prime example of p*** taking which was then backed up by another male colleague.

My employer has never been in a position where one of his employees has been pregnant and I feel like I am being managed out the company due to my pregnancy and the difficulties I have been experiencing so far.

Can anyone help?????

OMG, that is outrageous, sounds like grounds for constructive dismissal to me

I didt think that sort of thing went on in this day and age?

Well I now have to wait for a letter to attend a hearing once they have sent me more information and supporting evidence relating to the allegation.

Suspension on full pay is perfectly legal. You should begin to keep a diary of events. You may well have grounds for a sex discrim claim. Any claim would need to be brought within 3 months of the act complained off or last act of discim if you can link them.

You could consider submitting a grievance, but it may be best to await the outcome of the investigation.

This sounds like they are attemptingto force u out of your job and if they continue to behave in this way then u will have grounds for constructive dismissal like nat says.

I am discusted the way you have been treated especially whilest pregnant as there are rules on this. During pregnancy they have to allow you reasonable extra breaks during the day, like extra loo breaks and extra breaks due to need a drink or something to eat especially if you have been suffering with morning sickness.

Your boss repremanding you for eating at your desk after your late midwifes appointment u would have been entitled to ur normal break and just because you had a appointmnt does not mean ur not entitled to ur normal breaks. Would he have repremanded u if u need the loo?

The comments about you taking the p*** over the extra time off and leve due to not feel to goo is horrid. I would make a formaal complaint to someone higher than your boss.

I would give CAB a ring to find out what solicitors in your area specialise in employment law and seek there advise.

How long have you been employed with the Company? I take it you ahve made them aweare of your condition? Its not only discriminatory, but it also sounds like jealousy from the male counterparts as you will be entitled to legal paid time off work, whereas they are not. Are you a Union member? If not, I would get in touch with HR to let them know of the situation before it gets any worse, as you should not be subjescted to such treatment, it can be negative on your health and your baby, and if HR are worth their salt, they will nip this in the bud! Do not attend any meetins without someone attending with you.

Regarding the comments about your pregnancy and early lunches etc. This is actually sex discrimination. Try getting in touch with the Equal Opportunities Commision (I believe they are now known as "Equality and Human Rights Commission) here is their website: Equality and Human Rights Commission - home page

Also give ACAS a shot, here: Acas - How can we help?

The Equal Opps folks are fab they are brimming with case studies on how the unfair treatment of pregnant women can be constituted as sex discrimination, and cases where women discriminated against have won tribunals.

Also, have a look at The health and safety executive's guide on new and expectant mothers: Health and safety for new and expectant mothers

Discrimination against pregnant employees is a very serious offence, which tribunals take a dim view of. Most employers have no idea regarding the rights of expectant mothers.

Thanks to everyone who has posted so far, I have taken union advice and will be attending a hearing next week with him so feeling alot stronger.

well done the first step is always the hardest. Now u can atleast relay a little as u have taken the first step.

If you need anything else then let us know. BTW enjoy your pregancy i know i did whilest it lastest as it seemed to go so quickly.

the person in question said this was a prime example of p*** taking

In case you need to take this further, keep a detailed diary of every such incident (no matter how minor) with date, time and persons present. A pattern will emerge and this is the kind of thing an industrial tribunal will want to look at.

In fact, if you can document everything you have mentioned in your posts, it's a fair bet that the equal opportunities commission would take your case on, although your union would normally do this for you.

Good luck.

I have now been dismissed from work and have just filed a formal appeal letter with the company before it goes to tribunal. My union rep based on the case I have presented so far is confident we will have a positive outcome when this finally reaches ET stage. Thanks again everyone.

on what grounds have they dismissed u?