Are you protected..if you are pregnant and need to take a lot of sick days?

..if you are pregnant and need to take a lot of sick days?

If you have to take a lot of (unpaid) sick leave due to pregnancy related illness (constant fainting/vomiting - things that may not require hospitalisation but limit your ability to work) can you be let go for taking too much time off?

Re: Are you protected..

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Your “illness” is of a limited duration as it is due to pregnancy so as long as you have doctors letters to cover your time off work your employer has no justification to fire you.
If your illness meant that you would be unable to carry out your duties for a long time then they would be justified getting rid of you.
On a broader point it is almost impossible to sack/ lay someone off for anything related to pregnancy (and rightly so).

Hi,
No is the simple answer, but I doubt an Employer would base a dismissal on that or state it as the reason for dismissal. Unless the absences were not reported on time and accompanied by a Doctors Cert if required.
Medical treatment during Pregnancy is free so it shouldn't be a problem to see a Doctor financially. In regard to fainting this can indicate the Pregnant Woman's iron levels are too low, if its at a point in the Pregancy when its safe to take an iron supplement please take them (its often prescribed by the Doctor at that point anyway) if earlier please eat a healthy and balanced iron and vitimin / mineral rich diet. Also some dry toast eaten before getting out of bed in the morning can help some Women get past the on-come on Morning Sickness, I don't know how exactly but maybe its worth a shot.

You are straying perilously close to giving medical advice there.

I don't think giving advice on how you feel Babooshka should deal with morning sickness/pregnancy sickness has anything to do with the question that she asked.

Pantone said:

I don't think giving advice on how you feel Babooshka should deal with morning sickness/pregnancy sickness has anything to do with the question that she asked.

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I did answer the question the OP asked. My points on sickness and possible anemia was an addendum, an ounce of prevention and all that.

Thanks guys.

I'm wondering though, if the absences become a problem, simply because somebody needs to be doing the job that you do, can you be replaced because of this?

Does the fact that it is pregnancy related make a difference to this?

If it is pregnancy related and you have informed your employer that you are pregnant then you are protected.

It is up to your employer to find the best way for you to continue your job and for them to manage their company efficiently. If they need to employ someone else to cover your absences that is their problem not yours.

The legislation that protects you is under the Unfair Dismissals Acts, 1977 to 2005. Please do a search on www.employmentrights.ie for pregnancy and you'll find more information.

I know of one employer that tried/is trying to change HR policy to force pregnant employees to begin their maternity leave sooner if they have alot of pregnancy related sick leave.

To my knowledge, if a pregnant woman is experiencing a lot of illness associated with pregnancy, she can be forced to go on maternity leave at the earliest legally required date, but no earlier.

Brianne said:

To my knowledge, if a pregnant woman is experiencing a lot of illness associated with pregnancy, she can be forced to go on maternity leave at the earliest legally required date, but no earlier.

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Which does seem reasonable.

Absolutely.