Is this pregnancy discrimination in the workplace ? What do I do?
Quick run down of what happened:
- found out I was pregnant
- told my manager said please keep go self as I’m bleeding and have previous history of losses, he said that’s fine I’ll keep quiet until we know more
- few weeks later ( I was maybe 10 weeks pregnant ) he told others
- risk assessment created and left on a desk which contained about history os losses personal details about me and things like cysts on ovary’s etc
- owner saw it left on a desk for anyone to read
- congratulated me … and the decided to tell EVERYONE ..
- I raised complaint informally because of the breach in confidentiality ( also just found out baby’s intestines where on outside)
- they then decided to hire new employee … and give her my job role
- I raised a formal complaint
- the owners wife handled this ( said we don’t have a hr) to me that was conflict of interest but hey ho, outcome was work thought they had done everything right
- they then told me I have complaints about my work and more work is being removed and I’m basically getting demoted …
- I went to Acas raised EC
- work offered hush hush money and for me to leave company … I said no not for the pennys they was offering
- now ec has ended I’m now got my cert for tribunal
Few extras things along the way ( changed contract less hours, demoted me to just general admin, deducted pay for pregnancy related illnesses, forced onto sick pay, ignored letters about work related stresses from gp, high risk pregnancy, removed me from a course I was doing, giving me jobs to complete or I get disciplinary but these jobs are really unachievable, restricted bonus because I made hot dogs on my dinner break, haven’t completed anything risk assessment wise for my disability’s, they ring up people in the office to make sure I’m at work ( never had a day off, been late etc prior to all this), offered full pay to others but not me, I have around 400 emails, texts etc of all this in proof, etc )
Am I being dramatic ?
Is this normal ?
What do I do next?
Should I take it tribunal ?
Am I okay to not return after mat leave because I genuinely feel like I can’t return !!!
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Yep. I had a pregnancy discrimination case with my company. Some things v similar. You can tell when they are out for you!
Personally I’d get a lawyer, happy to give you deets of mine if you like, they offer a free consultation. You have to pay but you’d likely win and the company would reimburse you the costs.
That is 10000000% breaking like so many laws… GDPR…. Conflict of Interest….so so many. Please make a case for this
Hi, I know this isn’t what you were asking about but my son was born with intestines on the outside (gastroschisis) if you want to talk about it, need any advice on what to expect etc I’m more than happy to talk to you about it. He’s 2 now (almost 3) and happy and healthy xx
Yep you have a clear case of pregnancy discrimination and will likely win if you took it to tribunal.
My friend won her case last month, after 5 years mind you, as the courts are so backlogged! She was fired in 2021, after mediation failed in 2022, they set a 15 day trial in 2026. Similar story to yours working for a small firm, never had any issues beforehand. She won £85k.
My understanding is they don’t have to pay you to be out due to anything w your pregnancy. If you have an accommodation on file due to being pregnant, then they have to allow you those accommodations. It’d be on you to use PTO or sick-time. Also, super small companies aren’t obligated to provide FMLA.
A lot of the stuff you wrote is super bad on your employer’s behalf though. I’d get an employment lawyer for sure!
definitely take them to tribunal! mine dismissed me under pretence of my work was not good enough yeah the 6 months prior had absolutely no issues never raised anything with me but as soon as i said im pregnant and had to go off due to hyperemsis suddenly they have a problem
Ahh I was scrolling and accidentally hit dramatic, when it’s absolutely not! 🫣 That’s awful, I’m so sorry you’re going through this. I’d definitely seek advice from a lawyer as it’s sounds like you have a case to me, so I’d definitely take it to tribunal. Hope you get it sorted!
Immediately forward all emails to your personal email so they can't delete them internally to hide evidence!
Yes you have a case and I have details of a lawyer if you need - he made me feel very confident in handling my employer
It's not your bosses or the owners buisness to tell others of your buisness. What they did or are doing is not right. If in the states look up the pregnancy act and laws.
The only thing they did half right was that once you tell them they have to inform necessary people of risk assessment. Rest of it sounds like they don’t want to pay you for any sick pay or maternity pay. There are lots of new rules around pregnancy plus securing a returning job for you so absolutely take it to tribunal
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