So I have been on extended 6 month contracts for the past 18 months with one of the world's largest and profitable banks, a couple of months ago, they called me in and said they had to move me to another team in order to extend my contract as there was more scope for a permanent job on that team...

So I told them last week I was pregnant, and lo and behold today I got told that they can only extend my contract until the end of June because the team I am moving to are all temps and they are all finishing at the end of June....under Irish law I am only entitlted to Maternity Benefit if I am employed at the time of maternity leave....they are letting me go a month before that time which means, not only will I not have job to come back to after baby is born but I will lose out on my maternity benefit, and there is no way I can get another job at that late stage....I'm the main bread winner and so we will be left with little or no income....I was so stressed after hearing this I had a nosebleed at my desk, and neither my TL nor manager even came to see if I was ok....

I've busted my ass for them, have excelled in everything they have asked of me, and have glowing appraisals and yet they can't even see fit to look after me...I just don't know what to do.....

I dont know much about Irish law but that sounds like discrimination or constructive dismissal to me.. do you have a HR dept you can speak to? Im sorry u have to deal with this x

another thing, although not ideal, is it worth looking for a new job now? I started my current job at 13 weeks pregnant xx

I'm 22 weeks at the moment, so I doubt anyone will take me on at this stage, and they are providing a justification for ending my contract at that part time which means I'd have to be able to prove otherwise....I'm not sure if there is anything I can do, or who even can give me advice on the matter....I'm going to talk to HR as soon as its possible to get an appointment with them. I just don't need this stress.....

From what I understand as your employment will end when you will have less than 16 weeks to go you are entitled to maternity benefit.

http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en...y_benefit.html

Oh my God, Thanks a million for that, I'll call citizen information first thing....Thank you so much

yay so pleased

Hopefully that's 1 less thing to worry about.

I'm going to make all my calls in the morn, and if its true I'll sort out all the paperwork and this "reputable, job creating bank" can kiss my rear end....Thanks so much for that, I'm feeling much bettre now

good luck hun hope you get it all sorted sucks that they did that to you often the big companies are the worse :-/