need a new job

[misskee09]

I have been at my job for 3yrs in jan and they cut my hrs to 15hrs. I cant live off that with bills and a baby im not prepared for. Is it a good idea to look for another job or will they not hire me because im preg? My plan that I want to happen is get a new job take my 401k out to pay my rent till tax time and when tax time come I can pay off my lease? And im due dec 15th or dec 25th

[misskee09]

Lol I filed for partial unemployment im waiting on them

[CareyMc]

Lol...that's right!!

[AnnieBrooke]

Thanks, Carey.  Might as well get some value out of the hundred grand I spent on law school.  lol

[CareyMc]

Great way to hit the nail on the head Annie!! Very great advice! Good luck hun!

[AnnieBrooke]

Depending on how large the company is where you work and depending on employment law, you might have a case for something called constructive dismissal or constructive firing, against your employer for cutting your hours when they knew you were pregnant, if you can show they did it knowing that you would be unable to live on such a small income and were doing it in bad faith (i.e., trying to force you out).  Call your local bar association (in your state) and ask for the names of a few attorneys who specialize in employment law, and run the problem by them.  The lawyer should give you 5 to 15 minutes for free on the phone to tell you if you have a case or not.  You won't have a case if your company is too small (tiny companies are under the limbo pole, so to speak, of many employment laws), or if the company doesn't know you are pregnant, or if they are cutting everyone's hours to nothing.  You would have a more likely case if they have always liked you and given you good reviews, and do know you are pregnant, and only cut your hours after you spoke to them about parental leave or told them you were pregnant, and especially, if they are a large enough company that they are subject to labor laws.  Some companies do try to force an employee to quit by making the conditions of them staying so impossible that they have no choice.  That's why it's called constructive firing, they haven't fired someone literally but that was their intent.   I am not saying that is what happened to you, but if you think you meet the conditions I mentioned, it is worth your talking to a labor lawyer to see what they think.