Right, as you all know I'm pregnant and can't wait to go on maternity leave but that would be this August.. so would still be early for me to fantasize about lazing around the house and be a couch potato till my due date Anyway, I was off work again this week as I wasn't feeling really well. Been very very tired, feverish, headache, and tummy's hurting as well. Thank God I didn't have another bleeding incident, but nonetheless, I chose not to go to the office for 3 days until my doctor's/midwife's appointment last Thursday. After the appointment, I went straight back to work. In the afternoon, I got a call from a woman asking about the job vacancy advertised online. And to my astonishment, she was asking about MY job. I told my colleague about it and was shocked as well. I went to my manager's office and casually asked her: Have you already looked for someone to cover me while I'm on maternity leave? Manager said: no, not yet. Maybe next week. Why'd you ask? I just simply told her that I may need to start training someone but then we still got time since I will be on mat leave by August. I saw the online ad and it didn't even state that they are looking for a maternity cover. It seemed like there wasn't anyone doing my job! My instincts told me that I may get the sack. Boss didn't really like the fact that I was off sick when I had the threatened miscarriage plus this week's sick leave, and the weekly trip to the midwife because of my diabetis. My question now is: if and when my boss sack me, do i have the right to sue him given my immigration status (FLR)? I know that as a citizen, I can sue him but not sure if this applies to non-EU migrants like me. I also signed-up to be a member of a worker's union, but is this also exclusive for British citizens? Thanks for reading! This boss of mine is really stressing me out to be honest.. arrggg
As far as I know, getting rid of you at this stage, or atb any stage because you missed some work due to medical reasons, is going to be illegal for your employers. I would look for your union shop steward and explain your fears, or even try the Citizen Advice Bureau. I am quite sure that the circumstances are covered. You have rights and they cannot take advantage. Hope you are well, and wish you all the best. Lets us know what transpires. please.
All migrant workers working legally in the UK have the same rights as UK workers. It does not matter two hoots whether you are on FLR, ILR or have become a British Citizen, your employment rights are the same as UK workers. This includes paid time off work for antenatal care and at least 26 weeks paid maternity leave with a right to return to your job after your paid maternity leave ends. These two rights exist from the day you start work and your employer cannot these rights away from you - not even from migrant workers. These and many other rights are listed here... http://www.migrantworker.co.uk/Yourrights.asp Here are some guidlines on Maternity Leave... http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/index/your_money/employment/maternity_leave.htm I suspect that the rights of workers with limited leave to remain in the UK may not be as good.
Thanks, Howerd. I was going to get some searching done, as it has been bugging me for a couple of hours, and you have saved the day as usual.... And me the trouble................
I have been wondering if the chances of getting a visa are better if my wife is pregnant? But how do I prove that an unborn child is mine?
In an ideal world, you should wait to start a family until she gets here on a spouse visa.... Letting the wife have a baby overthere, would leave one, wondering about health, foods, and all sorts of kid related stuff... It is bad enough here, with the sprogs under your feet, but in an LDR situation it would be really heartbreaking for everyone concerned.
hahaha... thanks guys! i have done my research on this as well but panicked when i thought that there might be a difference between citizens and migrant workers.. THANK YOU!! xxxx
