as previous posts have said - you are in a strong position and your previous employer knows it You did not have to tell them you were pregnant - this is exactly what the Sex Discrimination Act was set up to prevent - if you had told them, they would not have employed you, they dismissed you when they found out that you were pregnant - therefore they have directly discriminated against you - laughing all the way to the bank I take it you have told your GP that you are very stressed, cant sleep, worried, scared etc, and are very tearful, and have records of this to back up your injury to feelings claim that goes hand in hand with your sex discrimination compensation!! They didnt dismiss you in the correct manner - laughing all the way to the bank number 2 Did they ever write and tell you you were dismissed - they are probably going on the lines that you resigned?? on your ET1 form - what did you say you wanted - your old job back, and compensation - or compensation alone The cards are all in your hands - as the previous person said goign to an ET1 is stressful - so consider this, but also consider that it is very unlikely that they will risk going to tribunal - so have in mind what you wish to settle for;)

were you issued with a contract / offer of employment - who did it say your employer was was you given written reasons for dismissal - as a pregnant worker you are legally entitled to this irrespective of length of service if you can proove this dismissal was soley due to you being pregnant you have an open and shut case unfair dismissal / sex discrimination / failure to follow statutory dismissal procedures without knowing the ins and outs it is hard to give definitive answers - please contact me if you wish to provide more details

It also depends on your length of service and what you are employed to do without details its hard to give definitive They should consult with you (how long depends on how long you have been employed), and give reasons for change depending on your reasons for resisting the change and the reasonableness of the request - yes ultimately the employer can change your contract - but they have to follow the correct process to do this

the employer is duty bound to make reasonable adjustments, as your partner will definitely be covered by the Disability Discrimination Act - or at the very least give consideration to alternative employment Most employers allow LTS returnees to come back in stages, reduced hours - working up to more if it permits It might be useful for your partner to obtain a letter from your GP stating what duties he can do on return / how many hours etc

if you have formally been suspended from work - pending an investigation you should have received written notification of this, and have been told of the grounds of which the suspension was, and how long for You will need to be called into a investigatory hearing you should be given at least 24 hours notice, be provided with representation, work colleauge or union rep - you should have had written notification of the reason prior to attending this hearing - rules of natural justice so you have a contract / staff handbook - details will be there as previously said bullying takes many forms and "the list is not exhaustive" - it depends on the circumstances and the allegation

I would start the letter something along lines of Following on from (DATE) where I was dismissed for (XYZ) I wish to formally appeal this decision and raise a stage 1 grievance Take out the bit about it is your right to be represented If it is your intention to take a tribunal claim and the company have not followed statutory procedures, your claim has the potential to be uplifted by up to 50% Do not give them anything at this stage - just outline it is your itention to appeal, details as per your letter Let them respond back to you about right of appeal - they will probably say "we do not have a policy in place therefore you have no right" - in which case you are laughing all the way to the bank Once you put your grievance in your time for taking a claim is extended to 6 months and 1 day from the date of dismissal - keep a tight eye on this deadline and even if your grievance is ongoing - put your claim on in time with a covering letter If you want a more detailed response I would need specifics drop me a line [email protected]

Since joining this forum it has forced me into tackling HSL head on I have fought through boxes and boxes of paperwork and have found all of my original documentation from 1994 - wow back than I kept anything and everything I have found the original booklet given to us at uni - which states the loan will be written off after 25 years or when you reach 50 - whichever is sooner and other such bits The original contracts, letters, announcements, original agreements stating that the loan is covered under CCA 1974 If anyone would like a copy of this please contact me :grin::grin::grin:

Hi there everyone: I joined the forums yesterday, after receiving a visit from a debt collector on my door. I must say I am in a much more positive frame of mind after reading some of your posts - but would still appreciate a little help if you wouldn't mind I am pre 98 loans I did begin to pay off my SL when I was working, and then in 2004 I had my first child, and have not worked since I only receive childbenefit and a low tax credit payment as my partner works HSL lost my deferment form in 2005 and this year, and are pursuing me for arrears, which I have told them categorically that I have no intention of paying as I do not earn enough to warrant paying back the student loan countless letters, telephonecalls, and threatening letters have gone on HSL at one point were querying how I can live on child benefit alone - and do not believe that is all I get I ahve told them to track my NI number and to contact DWP - all info is on database and they can see if I am earning or not On Monday I had some jumped up debt collector on my door asking me who my mortgage is with, how much council tax i pay etc etc - I told him that if HSL are trying to do a forced sale on my property they will have an almighty war on their hands - to which point he told me there was no need to be so feisty!!! After reading these threads, this morning I have sent a CCA and SAR request with the appropriate postal order and fake signature on the bottom of the letter Is there anything else I should be doing - by the way now the debt collector is refusing to answer my telephone calls Sorry for the long thread, but I am really stressed about this - i have 3 children under 5, and that in itself is enough for any one to have to contend with - without these jumped up idiots trying to have a pop Any help / advice would be gratefully received Thank you in advance

I will try and do a thread - Last payment was 2003 - been deferring - or trying to defer as the case may be since 2004 Thanks

WOW - I feel a little consolation knowing that it is not just me that HSL are giving unjustified harrassment to - I have found the link for the CCA letter - does anyone have a template SAR letter that I can use Thank you:rolleyes:

Hi there - really sorry to bother you but I have HSL on my back and I feel like I am going to have a nervouse breakdown - I have stumbled on this site - and I am really desperate now To cut a long story short - I am a full time mother of 3 children, and am not working - supported by my partner - only receive child benefit HSL have lost 2 of my deferral forms, refuse to defer my account - are questioning how I can survive on just childbenefit, and on Monday sent a debt collector to my house to take photos of my property I have heard CCA and DPA mentioned - but cannot find the templates - do you have any links I am trying to stay positive , but am reduced to tears when I think of how HSL treat us (I am oldstyle pre 98 loan)