Dear TS,
I clearly agree with your suggestions, it has given more than necessary insights into this issue.
Tulsi ,
To add on, Joining Bonus or signing bonus or sign-on bonus is a sum of money paid to a new employee by a company as an incentive to join that company. This may be governed by an Joining Bonus Agreement or Similar clause in offer letter reg the repayment of amount in case you decide to leave company within specified period of time.
Lets try to analyze this issue from the company point of view , in order to attract the candidate , they have offered the joining bonus, but to thier shock , the newly joined employee on joining, informs that she is pregnant , which infact will be an additional / unbudgeted / unexpected cost on them. I can't see any blame on the part of company and candidate, regarding the intimation of pregnancy as at the time of offer she was not pregnant & in the absence of any medical test, next meeting was the Joining Date.
They are bound to pay you the bonus if committed as per the clause in offer letter, which if unpaid can be challenged in a court of law, provided the employee fulfills his commitment perfectly
With regard to maternity leave , you are bound by Maternity Benefits Act 1961., which can't be explained better than what Mr. Viraj has provided with.
Informing the higher ups will be a good option, but again what if the attitude of HR is just a reflection of top management. There are chances of more harrassment.
Personally speaking , a lady needs to be very careful in the time of pregnancy, out from all stress and worries. She should be happy, free and enjoying the days of carriage. The amount of pressure and stress you take now will reflect on your kid.
So i would suggest you to either take leave , forget the bonus for sometime for the sake of your health and if the company doest change the attitude , move on seeking other opportunities.
Regards
Sriram
I clearly agree with your suggestions, it has given more than necessary insights into this issue.
Tulsi ,
To add on, Joining Bonus or signing bonus or sign-on bonus is a sum of money paid to a new employee by a company as an incentive to join that company. This may be governed by an Joining Bonus Agreement or Similar clause in offer letter reg the repayment of amount in case you decide to leave company within specified period of time.
Lets try to analyze this issue from the company point of view , in order to attract the candidate , they have offered the joining bonus, but to thier shock , the newly joined employee on joining, informs that she is pregnant , which infact will be an additional / unbudgeted / unexpected cost on them. I can't see any blame on the part of company and candidate, regarding the intimation of pregnancy as at the time of offer she was not pregnant & in the absence of any medical test, next meeting was the Joining Date.
They are bound to pay you the bonus if committed as per the clause in offer letter, which if unpaid can be challenged in a court of law, provided the employee fulfills his commitment perfectly
With regard to maternity leave , you are bound by Maternity Benefits Act 1961., which can't be explained better than what Mr. Viraj has provided with.
Informing the higher ups will be a good option, but again what if the attitude of HR is just a reflection of top management. There are chances of more harrassment.
Personally speaking , a lady needs to be very careful in the time of pregnancy, out from all stress and worries. She should be happy, free and enjoying the days of carriage. The amount of pressure and stress you take now will reflect on your kid.
So i would suggest you to either take leave , forget the bonus for sometime for the sake of your health and if the company doest change the attitude , move on seeking other opportunities.
Regards
Sriram