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  | Tauranga Newbie   Newbie
 
   
 
 Joined: 19 March 2015
 Points: 4
 |  Post Options  Thanks(0)  Quote  Reply  Topic: Sacked on 1st day for being pregnant Posted: 19 March 2015 at 10:23am
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   So I'm new to Tauranga and just got a new job, but on the 1st day I was honest with them and told them that I'm pregnant and was told that wasn't going to work out with them. The problem is they wanted to train me up to take over when their manager goes on maternity leave, which would be about 1 month before me. I know there's discrimination laws etc., but I don't want to work for someone who is going to be disgruntled for the next 6 months. They did say I could come back next year if there's a position available as they really wanted me for the job and I was their top pick by a long way.
 Problem is, what to do now? I really need a job, babies aren't cheap! Do I try and find a job in a large company so that maybe it wouldn't be such a problem? I'd also really like to qualify for maternity leave, so need a job asap as baby is due in Oct.
 
 Feeling frustrated so any suggestions welcome?
 Thanks!
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  | Nellennium   Senior Member
 
   
   
 Joined: 25 January 2013
 Location: Wellington
 Points: 1521
 |  Post Options  Thanks(0)  Quote  Reply  Posted: 19 March 2015 at 11:10am | 
 
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   Is the job advertised as maternity cover? I guess if you can't fulfill the contract then it's not really discrimination.
 I mean if you were moving to the U.K in November and were honest and told them it would effectively be the same thing wouldn't it?
 
 But it does suck! You just need to find a job that isn't maternity cover and I wouldn't mention you're UTD until you're either about to show or 3 months into the job!!
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  | Tauranga Newbie   Newbie
 
   
 
 Joined: 19 March 2015
 Points: 4
 |  Post Options  Thanks(0)  Quote  Reply  Posted: 19 March 2015 at 11:15am | 
 
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   No it wasn't advertised as maternity leave, just as full-time. I totally understand where they are coming from and therefore don't blame them, but at the same time we really need some $$$ coming in. I was excited by the job because it was going to be interesting and a challenge, but timing just sucks. I think I'm going to have to try and find something in retail/big company, where they would already have a high turnover of staff.
 Thanks for reply though Nellennium :)
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  | Dolly_   Senior Member
 
   
 
 Joined: 18 December 2014
 Points: 334
 |  Post Options  Thanks(0)  Quote  Reply  Posted: 19 March 2015 at 12:31pm | 
 
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   Hi Tauranga Newbie.  I just ran this past my partner who is an employment lawyer and he said he didn't think that sounded legal, and sent me this link:  http://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1987/0129/latest/DLM121020.html
 Having said that, I can understand why you wouldn't necessarily want to fight it...  Had you signed a contract?
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  | Tauranga Newbie   Newbie
 
   
 
 Joined: 19 March 2015
 Points: 4
 |  Post Options  Thanks(0)  Quote  Reply  Posted: 19 March 2015 at 12:42pm | 
 
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   Hi Dolly, thanks for your reply. I was just about to sign the contract, but one of the points said I had to declare any "medical conditions". I decided honesty was the best policy...ha! But I honestly don't think it would have been a problem if it wasn't for the fact that our maternity leave dates would clash. Just poor timing. 
 Time to lick my wounds and find something else, it's just hard to know what/where to apply for so that i don't end up in the same situation again.
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