How to cope with redundancy during pregnancy

When you’re pregnant, it’s normal for your priorities to shift and for work to take a back seat. Pregnancy can be physically and mentally challenging, so any good employer will recognise that employees who are expecting a baby should be given extra support.

But what happens if you’re made redundant?

Losing your job can be one of the most difficult challenges you have to face in life. Coping with the financial difficulties of redundancy can lead to anxiety, stress and fear, and it can be tricky to get back on your feet when your confidence has been knocked.

Redundancy can be even harder to cope with when you’re pregnant — and potentially even more vulnerable.

When you’re pregnant, you want to feel financially safe and settled — especially because the process of growing a baby can be so difficult. One in five women and birthing people experience mental health problems like anxiety and depression, as well as other symptoms like sickness and fatigue.

Read more: Is 'sleep support' really the best way to help new parents at work?

The stress of redundancy can also lead to pregnancy complications. According to a new study, job loss in pregnancy has been linked to an increased risk of miscarriage or stillbirth.

The team of researchers, led by Dr Selin Köksal from the Institute for Social and Economic Research at the University of Essex, looked at data from 40,000 UK households between 2009 and 2022. The data included 8,142 pregnancies. Out of 136 women who were affected by their own or their partner’s job loss, 32 (23.5%) miscarried and one (0.7%) had a stillbirth. Comparatively, among 8,006 women who were not affected by their own or their partner’s job loss, 915 (10.4%) miscarried and 37 (0.5%) had a stillbirth.

“Stress results in a physiological response, releasing hormones that are known to increase the risk of miscarriage or premature delivery,” says Köksal.

“The reduction in income following a job loss could restrict access and compliance with prenatal care, so that at-risk pregnancies are discovered late or are undetected. In addition, the emotional discomfort of job loss could prompt unhealthy behaviours, such as alcohol consumption, smoking or unhealthy eating.”

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It is important to raise awareness of women’s legal rights and protection in the workplace during pregnancy, Köksal adds. “So that women can feel safer and more empowered to communicate their pregnancy with their employer,” she says.

What to do if you’re made redundant when you are pregnant

Firstly, it’s important to know your rights.

You can be made redundant while pregnant or on maternity leave, but there are strict rules that must be followed before this can happen.

You can’t be made redundant because you’re pregnant or on maternity leave. If you are, this counts as “automatic unfair dismissal” and discrimination.

For example, this may occur if your employer has no genuine reason to make you redundant, or if there is a real reason to make people redundant — but you are chosen because you’re pregnant or on maternity leave.

Read more: What are your rights around fertility treatment at work?

There is additional protection for women who are on maternity leave, or those on shared parental leave.

Under the Pregnancy and Maternity Discrimination Bill, if you are pregnant, on maternity leave, on shared parental leave or adoption leave, and there is a genuine reason to make your role redundant, your employer must offer you suitable alternative work if they have it. They should give you this as a priority over other employees.

Applying for jobs when pregnant

And if you’re looking for other jobs and sending applications, you have some legal protections.

Legally, recruiters can't ask you if you're pregnant. Employers can't refuse to interview you, offer you a job for a limited time instead of permanent employment or offer you a lower salary because of your pregnancy.

Find out what money you are entitled to

If you are made redundant, you may be entitled to redundancy pay, notice pay or pay in lieu of notice, or accrued annual leave not yet taken.

Whether or not you receive redundancy pay and notice pay depends on how long you have worked for your employer. Your contract might also give you more than the legal minimum. You should check your contract to see what it says.

Read more: Will menstrual leave help women at work — or worsen discrimination?

If you are entitled to Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP) at the time you are dismissed, you will continue to receive it for the remainder of the SMP period. This is because SMP is not dependent on being an employee. If you can’t get SMP, you may be able to claim Maternity Allowance.

The Money Advice Service, which offers free and impartial financial advice, recommends using their redundancy pay calculator and planner to work out your finances. Work out how much you need to pay your rent or mortgage, council tax and bills with what money you have, or what you will be getting from your redundancy. Once you’ve prioritised these payments, you can work out your budget.

Look after yourself and seek support

It can be hard to talk to others, but speaking to loved ones can help lessen the intensity of a difficult situation.

Looking after yourself — getting some sleep, eating well, getting fresh air, attending your antenatal appointments — is key.

If you’re struggling with stress or any other mental health or pregnancy concerns, speak to your doctor or your midwife — they can provide advice, help and support.

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