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Pregnancy can be one of the most transformative experiences in a woman’s life. But for many, a positive test also heightens anxiety about one’s career, and how others will react to the news. During my first pregnancy I gained weight early on, and remember one of my bosses saying it looked like I had one too many client lunches. I hadn’t told anyone. I then felt compelled to share the news sooner than planned……Continue reading…..
Source: Forbes
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It’s unfair dismissal and maternity discrimination if your pregnancy affects their decision. Your employer must offer you another job if they have one suitable for you. They shouldn’t make you apply or compete against other employees. Your employer can ask you for information to check the job is suitable for you. Encourage her to share her thoughts about this and then you can look into a possible flexible working request, and what support might be available from both your company and yourself.
Discuss with her if she would like a phased return to work, what this might look like and how you could both make it work. You might get more tired than usual, particularly in the first and last few weeks of pregnancy. Try to use your lunch break to eat and rest. Your employer may also need to give you extra breaks. If travelling in rush hour is exhausting, ask your employer if you can work slightly different hours for a while.
Refusing to hire, failing to promote, demoting, or firing pregnant workers after learning they are pregnant; discharging workers who take medical leave for pregnancy-related conditions (such as a miscarriage); Evidence shows there may be a small increase in risk. However, it is not enough to make it compulsory for employers to reduce working hours to below 40 hours per week. If you feel that working long hours is causing you physical or mental harm during your pregnancy, talk to your midwife or GP.
Evidence shows there may be a small increase in risk. However, it is not enough to make it compulsory for employers to reduce working hours to below 40 hours per week. If you feel that working long hours is causing you physical or mental harm during your pregnancy, talk to your midwife or GP. By law (Equality Act 2010), you must not discriminate against someone you employ, or are considering employing, because of: their pregnancy. an illness related to their pregnancy, including related time off. maternity pay or leave they take, or plan to take.
It is normally up to you to decide when you wish to start your maternity leave. However, if you are off sick with a pregnancy-related illness in the last four weeks before your expected week of childbirth, your employer can start your maternity leave automatically – see box below for how to work it out. By law, anyone legally classed as an employee must tell you: that they’re pregnant. the expected week of the birth – to confirm this you can ask for a medical certificate, such as a ‘MAT B1’ form if they’re more than 20 weeks pregnant.
But remember, you have a legal right to do these things and it’s a normal part of pregnancy. A good employer will know that your wellbeing and your baby’s wellbeing is the priority when you’re pregnant. You can start your maternity leave any day from 11 weeks before your due date. Your maternity leave will start earlier than the date you pick if: your baby comes early, or. you’re off work with an illness related to your pregnancy, and this happens in the 4 weeks before the week of your due date.
A woman with an uncomplicated pregnancy should be allowed to and encouraged to continue working for as long as she chooses. This actually means you can work without interruption until the onset of labor. You can ask your employer if you can reduce your hours on a temporary basis but it will mean a reduction in your pay and this may affect your maternity pay. Make sure any change is confirmed in writing and that it is agreed for a temporary period.
If you dismiss your employee while they’re pregnant or on maternity leave, you must give them the reasons in writing. Pregnancy or maternity is never a valid reason to dismiss someone. You could be breaking discrimination law if you do this. A pregnant woman can be fairly dismissed if the main reason for dismissal is a fair reason and is unconnected to her pregnancy. If the reason for dismissal is related to her pregnancy, this is likely to amount to unfair dismissal and discrimination.
Your doctor can tell you if you’re ill because of your pregnancy. You can’t be dismissed for having time off sick because of your pregnancy as you’re protected against discrimination while you’re pregnant. If you’re sweating excessively, feel faint or dizzy, or develop a headache, nausea, cramps, or a racing heart, your body is telling you that it’s having a hard time regulating your internal temperature, which can be harmful. (Your baby can get overheated, just as you do.)
Usually, most women wait until the end of their first trimester or the beginning of their second trimester. But everyone should make their own decision. If you are pregnant, you can claim for the grant 11 weeks before your baby is due. You must make your claim before your baby is 6 months old. You must apply for a grant within 6 months of adopting a child or obtaining a qualifying order.
Free prescriptions and NHS dental care. You are entitled to free NHS prescriptions and NHS dental care (check-ups and treatment) during pregnancy and for 12 months after giving birth. Your child can also have free prescriptions and NHS dental care until they are at least 16 years old. You are entitled to receive the same sick pay as other employees. If your employer normally pays contractual sick pay, you are entitled to receive it during pregnancy in the usual way.
You should check your contract to see how much sick pay you are entitled to or ask your employer, union or HR department. The federal Pregnancy Discrimination Act does not allow anyone to fire or treat an employee differently because they are pregnant, have given birth, or are experiencing a related medical condition. When does pregnancy discrimination apply? The protected period applies throughout pregnancy until the end of your maternity leave period (up to 52 weeks or until you return to work, if earlier).
In most cases you will need to show that you told your employer about your pregnancy or they had become aware of it. Most people can continue working during pregnancy. Being pregnant, however, might present challenges in the workplace. To stay healthy and productive on the job, you need to understand how to relieve common pregnancy discomforts — and know when a work task might jeopardize the pregnancy.
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