Pregnant Employee

[fattony]

Hi

We have a pregnant employee and I need to ensure we're doing everything correctly, just looking for guidance where possible, we have changed her role as she previously dealt with goods in quite a bit, she now has help in this area so she's not lifting.

The main concern is the number of sick days, considering she is a full time employee working 37.5 hours per week, in April she has worked just 10 hours, this is due to morning sickness and anxiety.

We had a meeting and proposed that she comes into work once she feels herself, start later and finish later so her pay is not affected, the meeting seemed positive but has often resulted in her turning up at 12pm and going home at 2/3pm.

This attendance in work cancels any SSP she may be entitled to and can't be paid the full day when she's working a couple of hours, working 2 hours a day probably just about covers her travel expense so she would probably be better off just claiming SSP but I know I can't tell her that.

What would you do in this situation?

Thanks

 

[Newchodge]

If she is happy to come in and stay while she feels well, and loses pay in doing so, carry on. If she is feeling pressurised into doing this, you need to back off.

 

[Mark T Jones]

I'm sure @Newchodge can advise - however this looks very much like a situation where you need dedicated, paid for advice

EDIT: Got in before me!

 

[fattony]

If she is happy to come in and stay while she feels well, and loses pay in doing so, carry on. If she is feeling pressurised into doing this, you need to back off.

We've not pressured her at all, we've advised that we will need to recruit for someone else to help as her absence is stretching other members of the team trying to cover her role.

Thanks for the clarification

 

[Newchodge]

We've not pressured her at all, we've advised that we will need to recruit for someone else to help as her absence is stretching other members of the team trying to cover her role.

Thanks for the clarification

The SSP situation is complex as well. To qualify she needs to be absent for at least 4 consecutive calendar days, so if she manages to come in on Monday and Friday every week, bit is sill on Tuesday to Thursday she will receive 0 SSP. Do you know if sje is aware of that?
Obviously, the person you recruit will be on a short term contract - the morning sickness and anxiety may abate after a few weeks.

 

[fattony]

The SSP situation is complex as well. To qualify she needs to be absent for at least 4 consecutive calendar days, so if she manages to come in on Monday and Friday every week, bit is sill on Tuesday to Thursday she will receive 0 SSP. Do you know if sje is aware of that?
Obviously, the person you recruit will be on a short term contract - the morning sickness and anxiety may abate after a few weeks.

This is the problem, we've been hoping the sickness and anxiety is short term, in March she worked 60 hours, April 10 hours so its getting worse, she's due in September so a fair way to go, the person we recruit was always going to be maternity cover but once she returns we would look to keep them both, I'm assuming she will take full maternity period, I'm not even sure when I can ask her that, I need to look into it in more detail.

Are there any resources available I can look into?

Thanks

 

[Newchodge]

She should tell you when she gets her MATB1 form, which she should give to you as soon as she gets it (not before 20 weeks before the baby is due). That confirms she is pregnant and is the sensible time to discuss when she wants to start mat leave and how long she plans to take.

This is quite helpful:

Statutory Maternity Pay and Leave: employer guide

Employer guide to Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP) and Leave - rates, eligibility, notice period, form SMP1, recover statutory pay

www.gov.uk

 

[fattony]

Thanks thats really helpful

 

[MBE2017]

Just to add, it’s nice to see an employer willingly trying to accommodate a worker having problems.

 

[campbeji]

This is the problem, we've been hoping the sickness and anxiety is short term, in March she worked 60 hours, April 10 hours so its getting worse, she's due in September so a fair way to go, the person we recruit was always going to be maternity cover but once she returns we would look to keep them both, I'm assuming she will take full maternity period, I'm not even sure when I can ask her that, I need to look into it in more detail.

Are there any resources available I can look into?

Thanks

Hi Fattony,

On a quick calculation, is she is due in September, then she is probably in her 4th to 5th month of pregnancy. Most women have gotten past the morning sickness by the end of the first trimester or shortly after. If she is still suffering for pushing onto 20 weeks then it may be something more severe. I know that you can't just stick your nose into her business but if it was me I would worry about what may happen if it causes further issues while she is at or because of work. Hopefully, the morning sickness will subside soon and everything will go back to normal (as much as it can be).

Good Luck
Jim