PTBromley wrote:
>
> This year, we set 2 female locums on to do surgeries on a semi-permanent basis
> - 1 doing 1 day per week, and the other 1/2 day - i.e. 2 sessions and 1
> session. No contracts have been offered to them, and the arrangements were a
> verbal understanding. One is now pregnant (nothing to do with us at the
> practice I hasten to add!!) where do we stand in employment law?? Are they
> entitled now or in the future to holiday/sicknes/maternity leave. Can we
> suggest to the pregnant one that we need to look for someone else. do we have
> any obligations to them as we would any other employee??
>
> Paul Bromley
First of all, ascertain whether they are your employees or self employed
providing service on a verbal agreement. If you had paid their tax by
PAYE then it is obvious that they are employees. Then they are actually
considered part-time workers and thus entitled to maternity/sickness
rights as set down by the law. You have to check what they actually
entitled to. If you ask your employee to leave the practice because of
her pregnancy, this may amount to an unfair dismissal/sexual
discrimination. Be warned!!
If they are self employed, then you have no obligations whatsoever. It
is suggestable for you to work out the future arrangements as to their
work.
K M Chung
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