Made redundant and pregnant
By killahclaire
@killahclaire (3665)
October 2, 2008 5:40am CST
I live in the UK where we do have a benefits system thankfully.
I was made redundant about 4 weeks ago as the business ceased trading and I was left being owed about £1000 and no hope of getting it back without loads of legal proceedings.
I am due my maternity to start at the beginning of November and I have to give the pretense of trying to get myself a job until then to be entitled to benefits but to be honest I am only doing it half hearted cos the truth of the matter is, who is going to employ someone who is more than half way through their pregnancy and will only work for a month or two.
It is completely ridiculous and I hate feeling like I am trying to scam the system when the truth is I am not. I worked hard when I had the job, was gutted when I lost it but just now find myself in a really stressful situation and I have the goverment going on at me about getting a job on top of it all.
Well only 4 or 5 weeks to go at least. Oh yeah, I haven't been paid any money since 23 August and they know that and keep on holding up my claim for benefit even although I have worked in this country almost all of my adult life and paid my taxes/
4 people like this
4 responses
@Eskimo (2315)
•
3 Oct 08
This is the time you should be looking after yourself, and taking things easy, with no stress, being made redundant is not good especially at this time. I thought that if company goes bust, without having enough money to pay redundancy then government had a fund to pay it out. Companies are also supposed to have a fund set aside to cover redundancies if they go bust.
2 people like this
@killahclaire (3665)
•
4 Oct 08
Well as he has not actually went insolvent then the goverment won't step in and help out. He is just dissolving the company because as he is a limited company then if he continues to trade past a point where he knows the debts cant be repaid then he can become personally liable.
I went to citizens advice yesterday and they are going to start proceeedings for an employment tribunal which could take until August to get a hearing unfortunately but luckily by then the baby will be 6 months which will make it a little easier to manage.
1 person likes this
@CanadaGal (4304)
• Canada
2 Oct 08
I went through a similar experience when I was pregnant with my first son, in that I had to continue to look for work even though I was obviously very pregnant. My social worker at the time agreed that it was a silly law, because as you stated, what employer in their right mind would hire someone, knowing they'll be leaving in a few short months? And in your case, weeks.
I'm sorry that you're hurting for money right now. I know all too well how frustrating that is. But if it's going to happen, it's better it happen now, and not after the baby's born.
@AmbiePam (85521)
• United States
2 Oct 08
You're right about trying to find a job while in the midst of your pregnancy. I really don't think there are many people who would hire a pregnant women when they know she'll soon be leaving. Sadly, that is true. Perhaps they might hire you for a part-time job at least? I'm going to be praying something just drops in your lap. I'll keep hoping that you will be taken care of with only the upcoming birth to think about. Stress is no good for a mama! : )
@stephcjh (38473)
• United States
2 Oct 08
I am so sorry to hear that. I hope things get better for oyu. I know it must be a very hard time for you right now. It seems to always be something though. I wish for better things for you in the future.
