Fired! What will I do now?????

Question

I'm 9 weeks pregnant, and I have been feeling rotten for the past month or so. As a result I've had to take a lot of time off work because I've been too ill to even sit up. My supervisor's been really great about the whole thing - he's told me if I feel unwell to just stay home or leave early.

Today our Director returned from a 2 week business trip. She was in her office all morning then called me in at about 1pm and demanded to know "What the h**l I've been playing at" - she'd checked our timecards and discovered I've been off sick so much! She said "She's not paying me to be sick" and demanded an explanation. I told her I'm pregnant and she totally flipped! She said "She's got an empire to build and she can't do it if her stupid girls decide to get knocked up!" then she fired me on the spot!!

Can she get away with this? Should I take legal action??? What am I going to do now? I'm going to be an unemployed, homeless (living with my mom), single mom!!!

Help!!!

Answer 1

Get yourself a labor (no pun inteded) lawyer.  This is illegal and she can be sued.  You cannot fire a pregnant woman based on the fact they are pregnant.

Answer 2

this is unfair dismissal get a lawyer right away and sue the *** off that b***h

Answer 3

Get a lawyer. Contact former co-workers and see if anyone has overheard her saying negative things about you being pregnant. Good luck.

Answer 4

She can't do that.  If you can get a note from your dr stating that you have been so sick, and you take it to your HR, she can't fire you because you are pregnant.  I would file a complaint against her with the labor board and with HR, and I bet you will get your job back.

Answer 5

Get legal help straight away-you will definately win. Good luck!

Answer 6

Legally she can not do this...reality she did.  You can draw unemployment while you look for another job...

You can file a complaint for EO (equal opportunity) through your Human Resource Dept. If your company has one.

You can also complain to the Dept of Labor, though you may have to go through you state level. It is against state/federal laws to fire you for pregnancy. Her comments sound discriminatory. Another woman can be charged with sexual discrimination against a woman.

You can also contact you legal aid for more advice. You can ask the unemployment/employment office too because many are run by the Dept of Labor.

Answer 7

yes. you can definitely take legal action because there has been a discrimination against you!

Answer 8

Oh my gosh!  That's horrible!  I would definitely see an attorney.   Watch out for consultation fees, they can get pricey.   Perhaps you know someone who can help?

But yes, i would look into that.    I'm sorry you have to deal with this now.  There is no excuse for being spoken to that way.  Look into collecting unemployment.

Answer 9

Sounds like you got a rock solid case for unfair dismissal.  You should get legal aid too since you are now unemployed.  Did you get any formal letters outlining the reasons for your dismissal?

Write down everything that happened, times etc.

Answer 10

No, she is not allowed to treat you like that.

You have a case under the s*x Discrimination Act and sue for unfair dismissal on the grounds of your s*x.  It doesn't matter that she is a woman by-the-way.  

You have  alot of rights as a pregnant woman, and enter into a "protected period" when you are pregnant and return from maternity leave.  You have every right for leniency for pregnancy related sickness.

You need to document everything thoroughly, so while everything is fresh in your mind, write it down - times, dates, locations etc.

You need to follow the company grievance procedure (should be in your contract of employment).  If you don't have a copy, ask for it from the HR/Personnel department.  Try and email, as you will have proof of sending - ask them to send a received receipt manually on the bottom of every email.  If you send anything by post, keep copies and send it recorded.

I am in the process of filing for tribunal for exactly the same thing - against the guy that owns the company I worked for.  You still need to follow the grievance procedure by the book, and seek legal advice immediately.

Get on the internet and find a no-win-no-fee employment solicitor in your area.  

Alarming, but these cases are all too common.  Stick up for your rights though.  Good luck x

Answer 11

Sue the harsh cow for unfair dismissal.

You should of had doctors notes to give in. (They'd look good on your side.)

Answer 12

I hope you are registered with a trade union, as they will help you no end.  A few similar cases have occured and have been referred to ACAS.

Speak to your representative and go through the nuts and bolts of the s*x Discrimination Act. Your supervisor sounds great - he should be part of any hearing. Good luck.

Answer 13

no go to your local citizens advive and sue them, they cannot fire you when you are pregnat no matter what!!!!

Answer 14

This sounds like a blessing in disguise. As for living with your moms, I think that will be best for you once you have your baby. You will need all the help you can get. No one understands post-pardum better than mom. Plus, assuming your mom is understanding and supporting- it will be helpful during your fatigue stage.

You have a case. You will win it. It will pay for your baby. Instead of going to see a lawyer, take out the phone book and phone as many lawyers as you can call. Leave messages. Explain your case. Most lawyers will be glad to sit on the phone for a couple of minutes.Tell them what you have and see if there is a lawyer that will go pro-bono, since most firms do a certain amount of bono cases a year. Otherwise discuss them getting paid once you have won.

While your doing that. Or waiting for a lawyer to call back. Write a letter to take to your former supervisor stating that he or she did let you go early after his approval. Then get him to sign it. Other co-workers also that witnessed this also.

During your nest pre-natal visit, be sure to mention the stress that you are under as a result of this, and make sure your doctor documents it in your file.

Good Luck!

Answer 15

Go and see a solicitor first thing in the morning. She has no right to fire u. Its illegal and u can certainly take her to court and win. Don't let her get away with it. Thats absolutely disgusting. I had 3 children in 32 months and not one person, boss/supervisor or otherwise had ever said one word to me about being pregnant or how their business wld suffer. Fight for yr rights. U can do it. Good Luck. How about keeping us all updated on what u decide to do about this unfair dismissal. x

Answer 16

If you are in the UK, your boss has broken the law. Get a lawyer, and get one NOW

Answer 17

that ****** isn't allowed to do that!!! get a solicitor NOW and you will defo win ur case, good luck honey xx