Probationary period and off sick

[2bananas]

Hi all.

I am currently signed off sick from work. I am still in my probationary period.

Has anyone been in my situation and been fired before?

I have this morning spoken to ACAS and they have informed me that they would have to be a ' pretty brave' to sack me while signed off by my doctor for a pregnancy related health issue - despite being in my probation period.

Would everyone agree with this? It has put my mind at rest a little but to be honest I am still worried they will sack me. It is a large organisation (supermarket ) so I dont know if they will be too worried about me being off as I work part time and there are a lot of staff around for cover but my line manager really wasnt very impressed when I called in to tell them.

I am due back at the doctors this morning to be probably signed off again, just feeling worried.

 

[special_kala]

What supermarket is it? They'd be pretty think to fire you for pregnancy related sickness

 

[BeckaJayne]

I had just found out i was pregnant before i started my new job and whilst i was on probation i had a couple of weeks off (in total) due to pregnancy related illness and a stand in manager didn't even attempt to bring it up in my probationary meeting. Although i did have a word with her a few weeks before it as i was had not been sleeping so well and felt really ill and i reluctantly went home sick and she said it would be looked at but they'd take it into consideration that it was down to being pregnant (She basically made out that i shouldn't take anymore time off sick)!!! I still don't think she had any right in saying that as i was told its a very very thin line if they want to sack someone for being pregnant.
Not all managers are understanding but if your sickness is pregnancy related i wouldn't worry!!

 

[Dream.A.Dream]

I agree, they would be very stupid to sack you for pregnancy illness. Would be a brilliant case for tribunal if they did xx

 

[MotherBear]

Yes it would be brave of them, if they told you it was due to your pregnancy but during a probationary period they are able to get rid with very limited explanations, thats why most employers include probationary periods into contracts.