Work making me so stressed

[LaurenaC]

I'm really stressed out. I started a new job in July and am on a 6 month probation which was due to end this coming week. I had a phone call from my manager on Friday saying that they had decided to extend my probation by two months because I had been working from home for 3 weeks due to a pregnancy complication. (I had a blood clot attached to the gestational sac). I didn't take the time as sick leave, I was working and it was agreed by all parties and it was occupational health who wanted me to stay home until I had the all clear at the 12 weeks scan.

My performance has been good and my manager made comments to me on Friday saying they wanted to give me a chance to prove myself to get back to my pre-pregnancy self because they knew I had been suffering with anxiety over the past month.

I argued that I thought that this was pregnancy discrimination and how could they justify extending my probation by two months when I have had only 3 weeks away, and I was working!

I called ACAS and they told me that employers cannot use pregnancy or any pregnancy complications as a reason to extend my probation and so I have had to write a letter to HR and my manager outlining my concerns.

I'm just so stressed now as I have to go to work in the morning straight into a meeting with my manager. Can they seriously do this? If they stuck to the two month probation extension then it would end two weeks before my maternity leave starts and I'm so worried they will not keep me on, leaving me with no maternity pay. :0(

Thanks for listening ladies xx

 

[SaraVO]

That does sound like discrimination. Have you talked to a lawyer? If you are in the states the laws are really clear on how they can treat you. I think extending your probation by the three weeks you were gone sounds a little reasonable all though still like discrimination but adding stress to your pregnancy is in itself a pretty bad thing that you should talk to someone about.

 

[Ginag88]

I was very stressed due to work to the point of having to take disability from depression. Honestly you can fight that but be prepared for the b.s that will come with it. Try your best not to stress, everything happens for a reason. Annoying to say but it's very true.

Good luck, your health comes first.

 

[Matilda85]

I work in employment law and discrimination in Australia and honestly I would think really hard about your next steps. Discrimination is incredibly hard to prove and while alleging it shouldn't affect your working conditions, it highly likely will. Plus if you take she matter to court it will take time, cost money and be emotionally draining.

 

[LaughOutLoud]

I was made redundant before I just found out I was pregnant. I had to apply for statutory maternity pay as had worked enough to claim. Employers do use tactics unfortunately an how long you have been with them affects their decisions too.