Pregnant and on 2 year temporary contract with the bank

[ClodaghK]

I am 5 weeks pregnant and delighted.

However i am a little bit worried about the status of my job. I am on a 2 year fixed temporary contract with one of the big banks, that started in Jan 2008 and ends Jan 2010 with 3 months probabtion (which I passed)

However if my calculations are right then I will be due in June 09 and back to work in December 09 (a month before my contract ends)
- so i suppose i have two questions

1. Is it possible to know if I will get the full maternity benefits considering I am only temporary

2. Are my chances of having my contract made permanent now being diminised the fact that i will only be technically working for 18 of the 24 months of my contract


Thanks

 

[Latrade]

1. Is it possible to know if I will get the full maternity benefits considering I am only temporary

2. Are my chances of having my contract made permanent now being diminised the fact that i will only be technically working for 18 of the 24 months of my contract


Thanks

As I understand it:

1. Temporary status doesn't affect rights to maternity protection etc. The only time it gets tricky is if the employee is pregnant but the contract is only for 6 months, say and the contract is due to finish while they are on maternity leave. The employee is still entiltled to protection, but only for the term of her contract. In your case you will be returning to work and still have time left on your contract.

2. The only answer to this question is that it shouldn't, in fact it can't influence the decision and there is very robust legislation to back this up. Unfortunately, discrimination on the grounds of pregnancy istill accounts for a significant number of cases within the equality tribunal.

Can't really answer the last question other than the above. That kind of discrimination is still a feature of the workplace, hopefully your employer is a reasonable one (as most are). Just be aware that if the worst comes to the worst and the contract isn't renewed and that there is really no other reason other than the pregnancy (it could be a genuine and reasonable reason), then you do have a lot of strong legislation to back you up.

 

[shesells]

You usually have to be with a bank a certain length of time before they top up your state maternity benefit to closer to your normal pay. I know several banks who have tightened up on their maternity packages for more recent employees. Check your contract and/or handbook for more info.

 

[ClodaghK]

checked my contract and it says that i am entitled to full pay from the bank if i have served more than 12 months - however it does not specify how they calculate the 12 months service

i.e is it when you go on maternity leave or when you become pregnant

because if its when i go on leave i will be working for the bank 17 months but if its when i became pregnant i would only be with the bank 9 months

would love some clarification! Thanks

 

[becky]

checked my contract and it says that i am entitled to full pay from the bank if i have served more than 12 months - however it does not specify how they calculate the 12 months service

i.e is it when you go on maternity leave or when you become pregnant

because if its when i go on leave i will be working for the bank 17 months but if its when i became pregnant i would only be with the bank 9 months

would love some clarification! Thanks

The pay would be based on what you earn when you commence maternity leave.