What type of dismissal occurs due to an employee’s pregnancy?

The situation described in the question pertains to the legal protections afforded to employees, particularly in relation to maternity rights. When an employee is dismissed specifically due to pregnancy, it is considered an unfair dismissal. This is because pregnancy is a protected characteristic under various employment laws, which prevent discrimination based on maternity. Employers are required to provide reasonable accommodations and cannot terminate an employee simply for being pregnant.

Unfair dismissal occurs when an employee is terminated for reasons that are not legitimate or lawful under employment legislation. In this case, dismissing an employee due to pregnancy directly violates these legal protections, marking it as an unfair dismissal. Such actions not only contravene the principle of equal treatment but also can lead to legal repercussions for the employer.

In contrast, other types of dismissal, such as fair dismissal, typically relate to legitimate business reasons unrelated to discrimination, while constructive dismissal involves situations where an employee feels forced to resign due to the employer's behavior. Immediate dismissal usually refers to dismissals without prior notice for severe misconduct. None of these scenarios pertain to the specific circumstances of dismissing an employee due to pregnancy, reinforcing why the correct classification is unfair dismissal.