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Pregnancy/Maternity Discrimination Claims

If you have been dismissed from work because you have fallen pregnant or are discriminated against because you are pregnant, or, because you have pregnancy-related sickness or taken maternity leave, contact Lloyd Donnelly NOW on 02082077358. You’ll get to speak to one of our Directors and get direct, sympathetic advice from an experienced employment lawyer.

Andrew Lloyd - Pregnancy rights, video guide

Unfairly Dismissed Because of Pregnancy in the UK?

It is against the law for your employer to dismiss you for reasons related to your pregnancy. It’s that simple. 

Like you, most of our clients are professionals who have worked hard to build a career as well as a family. Again, like you, most people who are discriminated against because of pregnancy or maternity find it comes as a surprise. Most have never been subject to disciplinary proceedings and have certainly never been dismissed before.

Pregnancy Discrimination law is there to protect people like you and we’re here to put it into action for you.

We rarely lose a case, even at tribunal stage and most cases settle before it goes to a hearing. Unlike other employment law cases, you do not need to have two years’ employment to bring a claim for pregnancy & maternity discrimination. In fact, pregnancy & maternity discriminations are automatically unfair, making pregnancy & maternity discriminations a straightforward claim.

You have been dismissed because of pregnancy if you are dismissed:

  • because of your pregnancy or any reason connected with it.
  • having given birth or any reason connected with it.
  • for taking maternity leave
  • for exercising, any of your contractual employment rights while on maternity leave

You are also the victim of unfair dismissal because of pregnancy if you have been:

  • Suspended from work on medical or Health and Safety Grounds
  • Made redundant during or at the end of your maternity leave (and you aren’t offered a suitable alternative job)

Read more about pregnancy rights in the UK and maternity rights in the UK

Why Choose Lloyd Donnelly for your pregnancy & maternity discrimination Claim?

Our pregnancy & maternity discrimination and pregnancy discrimination lawyers are experts in this field. Your case will be handled by a lawyer with specific experience of pregnancy & maternity discrimination and pregnancy discrimination. We are transparent with our fees and we’ll be upfront about any potential costs. We take pride in explaining legal concepts clearly and keeping our clients up to date at every stage.

Our experience tells us that clients want an approachable, friendly solicitor but one who is also prepared to fight their corner tenaciously. We know it can seem hard to go up against someone bigger which is why we’re here to fight your corner.

We know that very often, it’s not about the claim, it’s about putting your life back on track. For instance, a good job reference might be just as important as the settlement. Our tenacious, formidable solicitors will fight to get you what you need to provide a future for your child. 

What rights do pregnant employees have?

  • A right to paid time off for antenatal care
  • A right to take maternity leave
  • A right to maternity pay (if you qualify)
  • Protection against unfair treatment, discrimination or dismissal

Telling your employer you are pregnant

Employees must tell their employer that they are pregnant at least 15 weeks before the beginning of the week the baby is due.

If this isn’t possible. because they did not know they were pregnant the employer must be told as soon as possible.

Employees must also give their employer enough notice of when they want to their statutory maternity leave and pay to start.

What is time off for antenatal care?

Women are allowed time off not just for medical appointments, but also antenatal or parenting classes if they have been recommended by a doctor or midwife.

How do I qualify for maternity leave?

Every woman who is an employee is entitled to take maternity leave.

How much maternity leave do I get?

If you are in employment, you can take up to 52 weeks of Statutory Maternity Leave.

You do not have to take all your Statutory Maternity Leave, but you must take at least 2 weeks of ‘compulsory maternity leave’ after your baby is born. If you work in a factory you must take 4 weeks.

Will I get maternity pay?

You will be entitled to maternity pay if:

  • you have worked for your employer for at least 26 weeks at the 15th week before the expected week of childbirth known as the ‘qualifying week’
  • earn on average at least £107 a week
  • give the correct notice (at least 28 days’ notice)
  • you give your employer proof are pregnant (a doctor’s letter or a MATB1 certificate which you can get from your midwife proving when your baby is due).

How much maternity pay shall I get?

Statutory Maternity Pay is paid for up to 39 weeks, usually as follows:

  • the first 6 weeks 90% of your average weekly earnings (AWE) before tax
  • the next 33 weeks £135.45 or 90% of your AWE (whichever is lower)
  • You should not receive less than the statutory amount but you may be entitled to more if your employer has an occupational maternity scheme
  • You must tell your employer that you want to start your paid maternity leave at least 28 days before you want it to start
  • You must also hand your employer a doctor’s letter or a MATB1 certificate proving when your baby is due (which you can get from your midwife).

Can I come back to work and still get maternity pay?

No. If you come back to work you lose the rest of your entitlement to maternity pay, but – you are entitled to 10 'keeping in touch days'.

What about holiday pay?

  • You continue to accrue holiday pay throughout your maternity leave
  • You can arrange with employer to take your untaken holiday entitlement at beginning or end of your maternity leave.

Does my employer have to give me my job back?

If you just take Ordinary Maternity Leave i.e. 26 weeks, they must give you your old job back.

If you take Additional Maternity Leave (more than the initial 26 weeks), your employer does not need to give you your old job back but they must allow you to return to a job on terms and conditions that are no worse than before went off.

Can I be made redundant when on maternity leave?

Yes, but your employer should not select you for redundancy because you are on maternity leave. That is sex discrimination, and you can make a claim in the employment tribunal.

If you are made redundant whilst on maternity leave, you will still be entitled to rest of maternity pay up to the 39-week point.

Can I come back to work part time?

You have no automatic right to insist that you return to work part time if you were previously employed on full time hours. However, you may ask your employer to agree to a period of adjusted hours or even that you work from home for a short time.

If they refuse your request, it may in some cases amount to sex discrimination. You need to seek advice from a solicitor if you have been refused flexible working, as you only have a short time to make a claim.

What if I am dismissed after I have told my employer that I am pregnant?

If you have been dismissed at any point after having told your employer that you are pregnant, you may have a claim for unfair dismissal and sex discrimination. You will need to seek advice as soon as possible as time to make a claim runs out very quickly. We offer no win no fee agreements to women in these circumstances.

We at Lloyd Donnelly know how to win cases for women dismissed in these circumstances. We have seen employers try and argue that they have dismissed pregnant employees for their work performance, but we have managed to flush the truth out and convince the tribunal to find in our client’s favour.

Pregnancy & Maternity discrimination Claim Lawyers Hertfordshire & London, UK

Contact one of our solicitors now if you feel your rights have been compromised.

Call now on 02082077358 or fill out our enquiry form and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

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What our clients say

I was dismissed after I told my employer I was pregnant. Andrew Lloyd took my case on won it...
Georgina Turner
Borehamwood