Pregnancy related absences
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In theory, they can't count pregnancy-related absence against you. ACAS has some useful information about this. https://www.acas.org.uk/managing-your-employees-maternity-leave-and-pay/if-theyre-ill-or-having-a-difficult-pregnancy However, I've been called into an attendance review at school for my absence, and only 3 days were non-pregnancy related. Needless to say, I'm not happy about it and my union are involved.
They should count as pregnancy related. I was called into an attendance meeting last year after a loss, and the union put an end to that meeting very quickly.
If it gets close to due date, they can ask you to take mat leave early however. They shouldn't give a disciplinary though.
I’m an Assistant Headteacher who is currently off with pregnancy related illness. They absolutely are not allowed to include it in any attendance processes and if they do, definitely get your union involved. They are also not allowed to include pregnancy related illnesses on any references for future jobs as it is not classed as a normal sickness absence. The only thing they can do is automatically trigger your mat leave to start 4 weeks before your due date if you are still off with pregnancy related illnesses.
I was off from oct-Jan, went back for three weeks and now I’m signed off again until feb half term due to HG 🥲 I was called to an attendance meeting in Jan and used it as a kind of return to work meeting and took my union rep with me (a good idea as it wasn’t the nicest meeting). As others have said, it legally can’t be used against you and you’re very protected. Just make sure your union are involved with everything, they’ve got extensive policy on working/being sick during pregnancy and your entitlements. Also, try not to worry! I’ve beaten myself up no end over the guilt I’ve felt being off but you’ve got to put you and your baby first ❤️
If you're in the UK then pregnancy related absence can not be held against you. It doesn't go down as normal absence but pregnancy related and if it's ever held against you, it's discrimination.