Got a problem? We’ve got some expert advice

email s.mclean@ dailyrecord.co.uk with all your consumer queries

I RECENTLY found out I am pregnant and I am worried about how this will affect my work.

I started a new job in January of this year and my permanent position was confirmed in July.

However, I am worried about telling my employer in case they get rid of me.

I can’t afford to lose my job or go for a period unpaid. What can I do?

CONGRATULATIONS on your good news.

You have been with your employer for some time now and, from what you are saying, it sounds like you have passed your probationary period.

You cannot claim for things such as unfair dismissal in the first two years of employment.

However, pregnancy is what is classified as a “protected characteristic” and means that if your employer were to dismiss you for this reason, then you could claim for unfair dismissal at an employment tribunal.

This means that you cannot be dismissed or treated any less favourably by your employer for the sole reason that you are pregnant.

With regards to statutory maternity pay, as long as you have been working continuously for the company for at least 26 weeks, ending with the 15th week before your expected week of childbirth, and have been making average weekly earnings equal to the lower earnings limit of £148.68, then you are entitled to this pay.

You should check your contract of employment to see if you are entitled to contractual maternity pay.

This is more than the statutory amount – however, you may be required to be pay this back if you leave the employer during your maternity period.

Be open and honest with your employer and ensure that all relevant precautions are being taken.

Remember, you should not be performing certain tasks for health and safety reasons.

It’s best to discuss this

MY FATHER recently passed away and never left a will.

I had a younger sister who also passed away and her children are claiming for her share of the estate.

They haven’t spoken to my father or any of the rest of the family for several years and I don’t think this is right.

My mother passed away a long time ago and I am the executor of the estate.

What can I do to challenge this?

THIS is quite a complex issue and specialist legal advice is required if you wish to contest their claim to any inheritance.

When no will is left detailing the wishes of the deceased, then there is protocol set down in law.

As there is no surviving spouse and there are no “prior rights” to be handled, then it is just a case of dealing with “legal rights”.

In Scottish law, if a child of someone who has passed away has also passed away in advance of their parent, then their descendants (in this case your sisters’ children) are able to claim their share of inheritance.

This means that in theory, they should be entitled to half of the estate.

That half (the share that would have been claimed by your sister) would be divided between her children.

As previously stated, it would be best to get specialist legal advice.

I hope everything works out for you and you can resolve this amicably.