Advice on a personal matter

Gem7321

Hi everyone

I recently found out that I'm pregnant (completely shocked - this isn't supposed to happen! - but over the moon!)

I think it's come at a good time as I've just sat my last AAT exams and hopefully passed, and was going to go on and study ACCA. However my employer uses Reed as their training provider, and ACCA is on block release in Gloucestershire which is obviously out of the question now.

I don't want to tell my employer about my situation until after I've received the pay rise I was promised on passing my exams, which they'll put off for as long as possible. The staff partner will want me to enrol for ACCA before they give me the pay rise, and I'm concerned that when I tell them I can't continue studying, I'll be made redundant. At the moment they're looking for any excuse to make people redundant.

I know they can't make me redundant for being pregnant, but I'm pretty sure they can make me redundant for not continuing study. And a different provider is not an option.

What should I do?

Thanks

Gem

Diannew

Gem7321 wrote: »

Hi everyone

I recently found out that I'm pregnant (completely shocked - this isn't supposed to happen! - but over the moon!)

I think it's come at a good time as I've just sat my last AAT exams and hopefully passed, and was going to go on and study ACCA. However my employer uses Reed as their training provider, and ACCA is on block release in Gloucestershire which is obviously out of the question now.

I don't want to tell my employer about my situation until after I've received the pay rise I was promised on passing my exams, which they'll put off for as long as possible. The staff partner will want me to enrol for ACCA before they give me the pay rise, and I'm concerned that when I tell them I can't continue studying, I'll be made redundant. At the moment they're looking for any excuse to make people redundant.

I know they can't make me redundant for being pregnant, but I'm pretty sure they can make me redundant for not continuing study. And a different provider is not an option.

What should I do?

Thanks

Gem

Hi Gem,

Firstly Congratulations..........

These are always akward sitiuations.....I would go on line and look it up on the ACAS site......or maybe give them a ring.... it is all in confidence, I have spoken to them a few times when I needed clarification on some thing to do with Employment Law.


Good Luck.

sarahwilson

Congratulations Gem!!

Will you be returning to work or aren't you sure yet?

Cullen

You need to inform your employer in writing. As a pregnant employee you probably have more rights than anyone. If they withold a payrise, training opportunities or anything because of your condition you can instigate the grievance procedure.

I would ask for a meeting with your manager and air your concerns. Ask them for reassurance regarding your employment. Take notes, you may need to rely on them later.

Good luck.

mark130273

congrates ....and if you dont know how that happened ? maybe should read the manual again ??

but think cullen sounds about right !

CJC

mark130273 wrote: »

congrates ....and if you dont know how that happened ? maybe should read the manual again ??

And you can find illustrations all over the interweb too!!

Congratulations Gem. Huggs.

Gem7321

Thanks for the congrats everyone

I know I need to inform my employer in writing, but I won't receive the MATB1 form until I'm 20 weeks, so I'll have to tell them verbally before then when they try to pressure me into going to Reed. I assume they will take verbal communication as me informing them and my maternity rights will kick in then? Or can they still make me redundant on the basis that I can't continue my training and didn't inform them of my pregnancy in writing?

I'm going to try to speak to my manager today - unfortunately he doesn't have a lot of influence over my training and pay rises etc. but hopefully he will be able to put my mind at ease a little bit. - Thanks Cullen

I'd like to return to work, but the childcare is so expensive that I don't think I'd be able to. I can get more money at Aldi! So I'm seriously considering being a shelf stacker so I can arrange my hours around the baby and get paid more money! I'm really upset that the last 3 and a half years has been a complete waste of time, and I'd like to think I could have a career and a baby, but I can't on my salary :crying:

I will definitely look at the ACAS website - thanks for that Dianne.

Please keep the advice coming!

Thanks guys xx

Diannew

Gem7321 wrote: »

Thanks for the congrats everyone

I know I need to inform my employer in writing, but I won't receive the MATB1 form until I'm 20 weeks, so I'll have to tell them verbally before then when they try to pressure me into going to Reed. I assume they will take verbal communication as me informing them and my maternity rights will kick in then? Or can they still make me redundant on the basis that I can't continue my training and didn't inform them of my pregnancy in writing?

I'm going to try to speak to my manager today - unfortunately he doesn't have a lot of influence over my training and pay rises etc. but hopefully he will be able to put my mind at ease a little bit. - Thanks Cullen

I'd like to return to work, but the childcare is so expensive that I don't think I'd be able to. I can get more money at Aldi! So I'm seriously considering "being a shelf stacker so I can arrange my hours around the baby and get paid more money! I'm really upset that the last 3 and a half years has been a complete waste of time, and I'd like to think I could have a career and a baby, but I can't on my salary :crying:

I will definitely look at the ACAS website - thanks for that Dianne.

Please keep the advice coming!

Thanks guys xx

Nothing is a waste of time............Accountancy can always come in usefull later on...it is a good thing to have under your belt.....but life is far too short and shelf stacking a Aldi's sounds good to me...less stress...so you can enjoy
the time with your baby......they grow so quickly.....treasure all the time you have with them........................keep healthy and good luck to you and your" little bump":001_wub:

farmergiles

Congratulations, Gem.
As for shelf stacking at Aldi, why not make use of your AAT qualification and either work from home or look at teaching AAT at your localcollege. They are crying out for tutors all around the country plus you could fit it in with your other duties.

Diannew

farmergiles wrote: »

Congratulations, Gem.
As for shelf stacking at Aldi, why not make use of your AAT qualification and either work from home or look at teaching AAT at your localcollege. They are crying out for tutors all around the country plus you could fit it in with your other duties.

That is a good idea Gem, if you need any info on this PM me and I will help all I can....I am a Tutor myself.

Buff

Hi Gems,

Over the moon for you after all those conversations we had. Congrats and big huggs all round.

Don't think of the past 3 years as a waste of time, as already stated, accountancy qualifications are a great advantage to have. If you had none, and went to work in accounts role when baby is old enough to go to school, you wouldn't get a great deal... but you do - and that'll be there in 4 years when baby is at school.

I am part of a great community forum, they specialise in most aspects in life and difficult situations like these as well as any financial issues you have etc - its called consumer action group - and they can be found at

I'm sure there is an employment section on there - start your own thread and put in your concern and ask for advice - you'll be able to see the quality of replies.

Good Luck - and PM fookbook me some time :-)

Gem7321

I spoke with my manager last night and he was really supportive, and agreed that we shouldn't tell the partners/HR until after my scan and screening tests. I also rang the ACAS helpine and they said that I should tell the management team verbally as this will give me more protection against redundancy, and my manager agreed.

My manager also said that the firm wouldn't want to lose me and they have already made plans for me to progress in the department, so I would probably just start ACCA when I come back from maternity, it doesn't matter that it will be a year later than planned, I'll still only be 24 when I qualify! And he said there is another training provider closer to home that the firm isn't so keen on, but it should be offered to me as a choice. It still means a lot of travelling and expenses but at least I won't have to stay in a strange place for a week at a time without my baby.

My mind has definitely been put at ease, but I don't think I'll be able to return to work with the cost of childcare. Aldi here I come! I'd love to do bookkeeping at home, and I think I could make a decent living out of it (I swear I am a good accountant!). It was somerthing I considered a while ago and I set up my excel templates and an engagement letter etc. but after 4 weeks of leaflet dropping and cold calling with no clients I gave up. Do you think it's worth another shot?

Thanks for the kind words and all your help everyone, I promise I'll stop asking questions soon!

CJC

I'm sure ysomeone with your talents can do better than stacking shelves at Aldi, Gem. Have you considered Tesco?

:tongue_smilie:

Gem7321

I have considered Tesco, but they don't pay as well! :tongue_smilie: and I don't want to become tescos *****.

Tesco will take over the world the day I start working for them :tongue_smilie:

Gem7321

How ridiculous. What if I was talking about my female dog that's just had puppies or something?

speegs

My ***** has just had 8 puppies, what a coincidence.

Speegs:thumbup1:

speegs

Nope that doesn't work either.

CJC

****ing censorship.

Diannew

Gem7321 wrote: »

I spoke with my manager last night and he was really supportive, and agreed that we shouldn't tell the partners/HR until after my scan and screening tests. I also rang the ACAS helpine and they said that I should tell the management team verbally as this will give me more protection against redundancy, and my manager agreed.

My manager also said that the firm wouldn't want to lose me and they have already made plans for me to progress in the department, so I would probably just start ACCA when I come back from maternity, it doesn't matter that it will be a year later than planned, I'll still only be 24 when I qualify! And he said there is another training provider closer to home that the firm isn't so keen on, but it should be offered to me as a choice. It still means a lot of ttravelling and expenses but at least I won't have to stay in a strange place for a week at a time without my baby.

My mind has definitely been put at ease, but I don't think I'll be able to return to work with the cost of childcare. Aldi here I come! I'd love to do bookkeeping at home, and I think I could make a decent living out of it (I swear I am a good accountant!). It was somerthing I considered a while ago and I set up my excel templates and an engagement letter etc. but after 4 weeks of leaflet dropping and cold calling with no clients I gave up. Do you think it's worth another shot?

Thanks for the kind words and all your help everyone, I promise I'll stop asking questions soon!

I am glad you have now had your mind put as ease......I would continue with the view to doing your own bookeeping...things may work out better for you as regards possible clients..once you know it is something you need to do for as living and giving you the chance to stay home with the family...maybe you should start giving it another shot now...and you may have a client base ready for when you have the baby....

Good luck anyway with whatever you decide.

Gem7321

speegs wrote: »

My ***** has just had 8 puppies, what a coincidence.

Speegs:thumbup1:

Omg what if I have 8 babies :blink:

mark130273

have to bury you in a "v" shaped coffin ?

hahahahahaha

CJC

And you'd do alright for child support benefit.

Baggybooks

Congrats Gem.

Here's one from the archives...

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=km4peNw1S8k

Gem7321

Lol I've never forgotten this

Buff

A legendary in a series of classic short videos.

burg

Glad to see you have got someway to easing your concerns.

Once you have had your little one and when you feel they are old enough to have childcare Tax credits will actually fund 80% of your childcare costs upto £300 per week. This is as long as you work 16hrs or more each week.

You could try putting your details for after you have had the baby into this to see roughly what you would get

Hope this tackles another area of your concern.

speegs

YOu could just get yourself pregnant continuously and then live off the state. I've heard you can make a very nice living doing that. I mean, look at Vicky Pollard.

LOL

:laugh:

Speegs:001_tt2:

Baggybooks

You'd need to get a good supply of blokes. I could pass you some names.

Gem7321

burg wrote: »

Glad to see you have got someway to easing your concerns.

Once you have had your little one and when you feel they are old enough to have childcare Tax credits will actually fund 80% of your childcare costs upto £300 per week. This is as long as you work 16hrs or more each week.

You could try putting your details for after you have had the baby into this to see roughly what you would get

Hope this tackles another area of your concern.

Thanks this will definitely help, and will mean I can go back to work! But I've heard of people earning less than me and my bf getting bugger all, I'm going to ask my midwife about all this stuff, I find it so mind boggling trying to suss it on my own.

Thanks again

Gem7321

speegs wrote: »

YOu could just get yourself pregnant continuously and then live off the state. I've heard you can make a very nice living doing that. I mean, look at Vicky Pollard.

LOL

:laugh:

Speegs:001_tt2:

My Mum and Dad were comparing me to Vicky Pollard the other day saying I would swap a baby for a westlife CD how cruel is that?

mark130273

maybe a take that one .............not westlife......

i would of changed mine last night as she was up from 3:30 till 5:00 .being sick !!!

little cow !!!mind you shes only 3 going on 23 !!!!hahahahaha