Available for all work: First class hons, ex management consultant

[VictoriaMG]

Hi all

I am currently 17 weeks pregnant and my company has put me at risk of redundancy (my role is gone). I can’t help but feel like I won’t exactly be attractive in the job market regardless of a first class hons degree in business, 8 years in management consultancy and 3 more as a cultural change & comms specialist.

If anyone out there needs anything from a kickass project manager to a more informal temping person to give a hand please let me know! I’m a hard worker, quick learner and have oodles of common sense!

I can’t bare to be reduced to nothing more than a chicken sent home to sit on her egg! So please let me know if you know of something, thanks!

[ClareChappell]

Just a few quick thoughts...

If you're only "at risk" how do they *know* your role is gone - should they be going through a bit more consultation before making a decision?  Are there any alternative roles?  I assume they know you are pregnant and are therefore protected from discrimination?!  

Is there anything in seeking to agree that you'll stay until you start maternity leave (bearing in mind that could be from about 29 weeks' pregnant)?  That would help you retain your income, then e.g. look to be paid in lieu of notice plus redundancy pay, and hopefully still get Statutory Maternity Pay (you may still be entitled to SMP depending on your dates anyway), rather than just Maternity Allowance.  

Good luck!  Do get in touch if you'd like to talk through further - clare.chappell@peacock-law.co.uk 

[EclipseMum]

This shouldn’t be happening to you!

Contact Pregnant then Screwed, a campaign group aiming to help women in similar positions.
You can call their advice line on 01619305300
Or email: advice@pregnantthenscrewed.com

[RebeccaS]

Hi Victoria, I really feel for you as this happened to me too and it was extremely stressful. It was really tricky being "not pregnant enough" to be protected by the law; I had no idea about this issue until I ended up in this situation. For what it's worth, I ended up working freelance for a while and am now starting up my own business. I do have some needs for someone to help with finance & analysis on a freelance / part time basis for a few months so if this is of interest please do send me a private message. And if not, then good luck! 

[VictoriaMG]

Thank you all so much for your replies.

I’m “at risk” because my role isn’t in the new structure (in fact the whole team is gone so that’s how they know). We’re working through consultation at the moment and I’m doing everything I can to hold on to anything to get me ‘pregnant enough’.

@RebeccaS thank you so much! I’ll definitely get in touch if and when I know more! Thank you!x

[Clare Lupton]

Hi Victoria - Would you think about running your own part-time business? I started one about 8 years ago after redundancy from the City, and show others how to do the same thing. i’d be interest to know what you’d want to get out of it, PM me if you’d like more info. Clare